Government reverses its decision on transgenders-TNN, Dec 10, 2010,

Government reverses its decision on transgenders

TNN, Dec 10, 2010, 03.44am IST

HYDERABAD: Bowing down to pressure from religious minorities, the state government has reversed its decision to bring the transgender community under the purview of the Minorities Welfare Department (MWD). About 15 days ago, the General Administration Department (GAD) had issued Government Order 565 stating that the transgender community has been brought under the MWD.

But the joy of the transgender community was short lived. Ever since the GO was issued, religious minorities especially Muslim religious leaders were raising objections towards the government's move. "By clubbing general minority with the religious minorities, the state government is diluting the focus of the department,'' said a community leader from the city.

While the government has heeded to the protests, with this, the 1.2 lakh transgender community in the state has lost the official recognition it had attained for the first time after several years of struggle.

G Krishna, transgender and gay activist from Suraksha Society, a

community-based organisation, said that the state government's move to shift the subject to another department is incorrect. "In plain words, the religious leaders are taking it as an insult that transgenders have been brought under minorities welfare department. If the other departments also throw us out, where will we go," said Krishna. He added that the tansgender community is planning to go on a protest in response to this, shortly.

When contacted, Ahmedullah Syed, minister for minorities welfare, said, "Minorities welfare is a religious department. After protests from all corners, I discussed the matter with chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy. The CM said that the subject would be shifted to another department.''

Sources said that for now, the MWD has not received an official communique in this regard but the subject is most likely to be brought under the purview of Women and Child Welfare department.