Ludhiana- On March 31, the world observes International Transgender Day of Visibility to celebrate transgender lives and raise awareness about their struggles. However, in Punjab, visibility continues to be a complex issue. While transgender individuals like Mohini Mahant tirelessly advocate for their community, state institutions continue to ignore their pleas for basic rights and dignity. Without systemic change, mere recognition is not enough; transgender individuals in Punjab need tangible reforms, not just symbolic representation.
Punjab’s transgender community continues to fight for their fundamental rights despite existing legal frameworks and welfare schemes designed to ensure their inclusion. Yet, bureaucratic red tape, electoral barriers, and systemic neglect render these policies ineffective.
In a conversation with Mohini Mahant, Punjab’s first transgender individual to serve in a Lok Adalat and a legal help advisor at the Sakhi Centre in Ludhiana, a grim reality unfolded: one where promises remain unfulfilled, and rights exist only on paper.
As per the 2011 Census, 10,243 people in Punjab identified under the ‘Others’ category, representing the transgender population. However, the 2024 Lok Sabha election data from the Election Commission of India reveals a starkly different picture: Punjab had only 773 registered transgender voters, and out of these, merely 282 cast their votes.
This massive gap between gender identity and official documentation highlights how procedural obstacles effectively disenfranchise transgender individuals. Updating one's gender on identity documents continues to be a challenging process. Many transgender individuals are forced to navigate a complex system that often denies them their rightful participation in democracy. Without simplified documentation procedures, electoral inclusion will remain a distant dream.
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, mandates that every state establish a Transgender Welfare Board to implement policies aimed at the socio-economic betterment of transgender individuals. Yet, Punjab remains among the states that have failed to establish such a board, making it non-compliant with the Act. Presently, 17 states and Union Territories have notified a TransgenderWelfare/Justice/Development Board under the Act and its accompanying 2020 rules. However, Punjab lags behind, leaving its transgender residents without a structured mechanism to address crucial issues such as employment opportunities, healthcare, housing, and legal aid.
The demand for a Transgender Welfare Board in Punjab has been raised multiple times by NGOs and activists like Mohini Mahant, who have directly petitioned Punjab’s Health Minister, Dr. Balbir Singh. However, according to Mahant, his response remains unchanged: “The file is in progress.” In reality, there have been no tangible steps taken. This bureaucratic inertia reflects a larger pattern of state apathy toward marginalized communities, where promises are made for optics but never materialize into action.
The Ayushman TG Card is meant to provide ₹5 lakh worth of annual medical coverage for transgender individuals under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). However, as per Mohini Mahant’s knowledge, not a single transgender person in Punjab has benefited from this scheme.
What is the main obstacle to overcome? Ration cards.
In Punjab, there are two types of ration cards:
1. Neela (Blue) Card
2. Peela (Yellow) Card
Only those possessing the Neela Card can avail of the Ayushman TG Card, but obtaining one is an arduous process controlled by MPs, MLAs, and local councillors. Many transgender individuals find their applications rejected due to mismatched documentation. Without gender identity updates on ration cards, they are locked out of essential healthcare benefits.
Despite overwhelming challenges, Punjab’s first Garima Greh (shelter home for transgender individuals) was established in Ludhiana in 2024 under the leadership of Mohini Mahant. The shelter provides temporary refuge, skill development, and rehabilitation for transgender individuals facing homelessness or domestic violence. However, without sustained state support, its future remains uncertain.
Filing an RTI (Right to Information) application in Punjab to inquire about transgender rights and policies presents a bureaucratic challenge. According to Mohini Mahant, the state’s RTI portal demands extensive personal details from the applicant, discouraging many from even attempting to file requests. Additionally, the portal often fails to generate email OTPs for verification, making tracking RTI applications nearly impossible. Even when RTIs are successfully filed, the authorities provide vague or incomplete responses, making it difficult to hold the government accountable. This lack of transparency further exacerbates the challenges faced by the transgender community in accessing information about their rights and entitlements.
Punjab’s transgender community remains trapped in a vicious cycle of administrative neglect, legal loopholes, and systemic barriers. Policies such as the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and schemes like the Ayushman TG Card exist on paper, but their implementation is deeply flawed. Electoral exclusion, lack of a Transgender Welfare Board, and bureaucratic hurdles continue to deny transgender persons their fundamental rights.
For real change, the Punjab government must take immediate steps:
● Establish the Transgender Welfare Board in compliance with the 2019 Act.
● Simplify identity documentation procedures to ensure transgender individuals can access welfare schemes and vote without obstacles.
● Ensure transparency in RTI responses and make the RTI portal accessible.
● Streamline the Ayushman TG Card process so that transgender individuals can access healthcare without bureaucratic delays.
● Support and fund Garima Grehs to provide long-term assistance beyond just temporary shelter.
The transgender struggle in Punjab is far from over. It is time for the government to move beyond token gestures and implement meaningful reforms. Visibility without action is mere performance; what the community truly needs is justice, dignity, and equal opportunities.
- Author Neelima is a Research Scholar at K.R. Narayanan Centre for Dalit and Minorities Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
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