Helping transgenders

Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Setting right an old wrong” (April 17). The Supreme Court’s milestone decision will help transgenders, who have now been recognised as the ‘third gender’.

The verdict will give transgenders self-esteem and dignity in society which has discriminated against them for long. The apex court’s initiatives in directing authorities to providing reservations to transgenders in education and employment, and access to special public toilets, are commendable. 

It is imperative that the Union and the State Governments don’t drag their feet in implementing the directives of the Supreme Court. They must comply for the betterment of the ‘third gender’, like they have for the others, such as the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes, without any prejudice. Once transgenders make their presence felt in educational institutions and jobs, the social stigma against them will slowly disappear.