Despite Bangalore University's exemplary initiative to reserve a seat for the transgenders in the 52 postgraduate disciplines from this academic year, the university has not received any application for admission under this category.
The university authorities and the voluntary organisations attribute this to many factors. First, many transgenders drop out from high school or degree level. Second, more time is required for the transgenders to come forward and declare their current status at the postgraduate level as they would have completed their undergraduate courses declaring themselves as either male or female.
Bangalore University Registrar R.M. Ranganath said that it was not easy for the transgenders who might have completed their undergraduate courses through distance education mode and seek admission under the special category now.
“We cannot expect that transgenders will come forward as soon as we make provision for their admission. They need time to face the consequences. Moreover, there is no feeder line to the PG courses as there is no reservation for the transgenders in the undergraduate courses,” said Mr. Ranganath.
Mr. Ranganath pointed out that sending a strong message to society on the need to bring transgenders to the mainstream and to encourage other authorities and educational institutions to create an atmosphere for admission for the transgenders were the purpose behind university's initiation.
Meanwhile, volunteers of Sangama, a sexuality minorities' human rights organisation, agree that it was difficult for transgenders to declare their sexual status openly and seek admission under the quota.
Shubha Chacko, secretary, Sangama, said that the university's initiative had become a model for other institutions.
“Transgender is a state that is discovered gradually during adolescence or much later in life. Such persons will drop out from high school or while studying in undergraduate courses as soon as they experience that they are transgenders and find it difficult to express it openly with others,” says Ms. Chacko while stressing the need to provide similar quota in other educational institutions.
She said that Sangama and other organisations had met Chief Minister recently and requested him to provide quota for the admission of transgenders in pre-university and undergraduate courses so that transgenders start coming to the mainstream of society shunning their hesitation.
