Varanasi- Transgender individuals often encounter challenges in finding acceptance within mainstream society. The prevailing stigma has acted as a barrier, hindering their admission to educational institutions. Moreover, many students from the transgender community have voiced concerns about facing discrimination from their peers. However, a recent development signals a positive shift in the acceptance of the transgender community.

The Hindi department at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has broken barriers by admitting Ananya, a transgender student. In a heartening turn of events, Ananya was selected as Miss Freshers at the department's freshers' party, showcasing a growing acceptance of the transgender community.

The Mooknayak spoke with Priyanka Sonkar, Assistant Professor at Banaras Hindu University, who was part of the selection panel. Sonkar mentioned, 'Amar Jyoti Bordoli, or Ananya as she is known, hails from Assam. She is a regular student of the 2023-2025 MA batch, never missing a class. Ananya's admission is a significant step by the Hindi department in challenging societal norms. During the freshers' party, she answered questions with simplicity.' When asked about her aspirations as the Head of the Department, Ananya expressed a commitment to addressing discrimination against the transgender community, which continues despite being recognized as the third gender in 2015. She also showcased her talent by narrating a short story.

Ananya's story could set a trend as the transgender community strives to establish itself in society. Earlier, Noor Shekhawat from Rajasthan enrolled at Maharani College, Rajasthan University, becoming the first transgender student.

In 2022, the University of Kerala formulated a policy to support transgender students, aiming to eliminate social discrimination. The policy's objectives include identifying transgender students in educational institutions under the University of Kerala and providing them with a support system to integrate the community into mainstream society.

Recently, the Maharashtra state government called upon all public universities in the state to cover the full tuition fees for transgender students, encouraging their enrolment not only in university departments but also in affiliated colleges

Members of the transgender community are not only pursuing education but are also making their presence felt in politics, the judiciary, academics, and more.

In 2017, Prithika Yashini became Tamil Nadu's first transgender cop. In 2018, Sathyasri Sharmila became India's first transgender lawyer. Joyita Mondal is India's first transgender judge in a National Lok Adalat. Shanta Khurai, a Manipuri artist, has had her memoir translated from Manipuri into English.

The strides made by the transgender community in various fields indicate the enabling atmosphere provided to people who were once stigmatized. The reception of an Assamese transgender in the Hindi department of BHU is also an encouraging development."

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