Bangalore University has set a model for all state universities to follow by taking an important decision concerning transgenders. From this academic year on, transgenders can pursue higher education at the university, after authorities decided to grant admissions to transgenders at the post graduation level.
The university has changed its application format and introduced an ‘others’ category under the gender column. “We have designed the application forms and they will be available from July 25,” said an official from the university.
“The university is sensitive to transgenders. Nobody recognises their identity and they are educationally backward. This will help them have their own identity and this is a process of non-discrimination,” the official said.
Dr Chitra Panikkar, a reader at the university's English department who is conducting a project with the transgender community says that many people in the community were willing to pursue higher studies, but didn’t have the opportunity.
“It is a great decision that the university has taken,” said Dr Panikkar. She also stated that it was necessary to implement the same at the under graduation level.
The transgender community in the city is happy with the university's decision. Akkai Padmashali, a transgender, said, “First we should thank the university authorities for bringing about this change. We are really very happy, they have understood our feelings.”
Akkai also mentioned an incident that happened four years ago in a Bangalore-based private college. “In 2006 a friend of mine, Suma, and I went to a private college seeking admission to the BBM course, but the college authorities asked us to fill in the gender column in the application form which we didn’t want to. When we asked them to add an ‘others’ column they refused and screamed at us,” Akkai said.
“We don’t want to identify with male of female, we want to be recognised as transgenders in society. We are glad that the Bangalore university respected our feelings,” added Akkai.
According to David, who works with the Centre for Advocacy and Research, a lot of transgenders are well qualified but fail to get into university.
“There are many incidents where they have been rejected at the university level. Bangalore university has taken a good decision and there will not be any more stigma for them at the university level,” said David.
Meanwhile, Dr N Prabhu Dev, vice-chancellor Bangalore university, has assured safety for transgenders who gain admission. “Once they are admitted we will provide the necessary security. If anyone discriminates against them we will take it seriously and we will consider it ragging,” Dev said.
On whether they would do the same at the undergraduate level, Prabhu Dev said, “We don't have any constituent college. If we had we would definitely allow them in at the UG level as well. But we have given them a start and we will think of other initiatives after seeing the response to this.”
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