: Transgender individuals in India face high rates of physical and sexual violence, often with limited recourse to the justice system. Summary of Key Terms
, and the community functions as a structured "house" system (Gharanas) led by a guru cultural and individual dimensions | PubMed 2. Legal Recognition: The NALSA Judgment
The most significant turning point for the community in recent years was the 2014 NALSA v. Union of India judgment. The Supreme Court of India officially recognized transgender people as a "third gender," affirming that the right to self-identify one's gender is a fundamental human right. This landmark ruling paved the way for the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. While the Act has faced criticism from activists for certain restrictive clauses, it established a legal framework to protect against discrimination in education, employment, and healthcare. Challenges in Modern India
: During British colonial rule, the community was marginalized and criminalized under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, which stripped them of their social status and led to long-term systemic discrimination. Modern Legal Recognition National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India
: Many are pushed toward traditional occupations like badhai (collecting alms) or sex work due to a lack of formal employment opportunities.
: It granted transgender individuals the right to self-identify their gender. Affirmed Fundamental Rights