Transgender judgment: SC to hear Centre's review plea today

March 04, 2016 08:14

The Supreme Court will today hear a review petition filed by the Supreme Court seeking clarity on issues arising out of a 2014 judgment pertaining to the rights and status of transgenders.

"The Apex court, in its April 2014 judgment, had said transgenders should be recognised as the 'third gender' but, along with that, it had also acknowledged their right to declare themselves either male or female.

"Now, this is creating some difficulty for those making their identity cards. So, we have filed a review petition in the court seeking clarity on this," Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot said.

According to the minister, transgender persons belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have flagged issues about them being given the status of OBC, saying they are not able to access the benefits which they were entitled to as SCs and STs.

"We also wanted clarity on these issues and have sought the guidance of the apex court. Clarity on these will help in the better implementation of the directives," he said.

The ministry, Gehlot said, is close to finalising the Draft Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2015, and will try to place the Bill in Parliament during the ongoing budget session of Parliament.

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