“In a country where it seems that precedence is given to cows over human beings so far as the right to life is concerned, transgenders are fighting a losing battle,” says Shanavi Ponnusamy who has been allegedly denied a job by Air India for being a trans woman.
An engineering graduate who had to go till the Supreme Court and even write to the President requesting mercy killing, Shanavi spoke on her plight. “Despite laws, the truth is that trans people have no reservation in jobs and the government, which is duty-bound to protect us, is pushing us into prostitution and begging. Why can’t the government reserve at least one seat for us and not force us to apply under male/female category.”
On Wednesday, the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) organised a meeting in solidarity with Shanavi. At the meet, Shanavi, who belongs to Tuticorin, said despite being a qualified engineer, she was denied employment in over 20 companies. Finally she got a job with a company where she handled Air India’s customer support. She later applied for an Air India cabin crew post under the female category as there was no category for transgenders.
“I was rejected thrice after my trans woman identity was revealed, for which I was also ridiculed,” she said.
“I have no source of income and I continue to face discrimination,” she added.
