Sir — The Supreme Court’s verdict recognising transgenders as the ‘third gender’ and directing the Government to treat them as socially backward, is a landmark ruling. The perennially deprived, discriminated and exploited class has finally found representation and can hope to live a decent life with equitable access to education and employment opportunities.
India is among the few nations to come out with such an explicit pronouncement on benefits to be given to this community. However, the country qualifies as a special case because of the exploitation that the transgender community has faced, owing to the people’s illiberal, orthodox and constricted outlook. Other nations have accommodated this community in the mainstream.