In a historic move aimed at removing gender discrimination, the Karnataka High Court on Saturday took on board a 27-year-old transgender in the Group D category.
C. Anu, daughter of the late Chennappa, a painter, and a resident of New Geddalahalli in Bangalore, received the appointment letter from Altamas Kabir, judge of the Supreme Court, and Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen during the valedictory ceremony of the mega lok adalats held here.
Setting an example
The appointment assumes significance both socially and legally, besides setting an example to the State Government, which is yet to make up its mind about employing transgenders in government services. However, the High Court administration chose to keep the appointment a low-key affair.
Ms. Anu told The Hindu that she was elated to get an opportunity to work in a public office. She is planning to report to work on Monday.
A senior officer of the High Court said, “The Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA), functioning under the High Court, has been involved in various activities to bring transgenders into the mainstream. It became clear during seminars organised by the KSLSA that a majority of them are into beggary or prostitution because they are denied jobs.”
“There is no legal bar in the country to appoint transgenders to government posts and constitutional offices. The Chief Justice is the authority for appointments to the High Court. The KSLSA and the High Court decided to address the issue by taking a first step in this regard under the initiative of the Chief Justice. We have made a small beginning and hope that it will act as a trendsetter for governments, besides motivating transgenders…,” the officer added.
Ms. Anu, whose original name was C. Lokesh, studied up to the 5th standard in a government school in Bangalore.
She is interested in being a beautician, and dancing, and knows Kannada, Hindi and Tamil.
According to the terms of employment, she will be on probation for two years and will be in the pay scale of Rs. 4,500 to Rs 7,275.
