In April 2014, Hon’ble Supreme Court in its landmark judgment recognized various civil and political rights of the transgender community. The genesis of this recognition lies in the acceptance of the idea of equal worth of every person as an inseparable part of human rights. 

Today, we are in 2020, and yet have no political representation from the transgender community. The discussion on gender equity and women empowerment is ongoing but this conversation leaves out the transgender community. 

We almost have no elected members of the transgender community in any of the State Assembly or our Parliament. No political Parties give them a ticket, almost none from the community are office bearers of any political party. 

Expecting things to change, on its own, might take decades. Should the largest democracy of the world wait for so long or should affirmative action be taken to get their representation in our law-making bodies at the earliest? As a Member of the Indian Parliament, I want to change that.

On December 10, 2019 the Lok Sabha through the Constitution (One Hundred & Twenty-Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2019 ceased the provision of nominating Member of the Anglo Indian Community in the Parliament & state Assemblies citing the decreasing population of the Anglo Indian Community in the country, as the reason for the same. 

Keeping the same vision of the inclusive nature of our Constitution, I am asking the Central Government to transfer the reservation which was earlier given to the ‘Anglo Indian Community’ to the ‘Transgender Community’ for their adequate political representation. 

For the past 70 years, we have ignored the transgender community, of more than a few million people, and the same will continue for several decades if notable interventions are not made. It is important that we bring them in Parliament and State Assemblies by nominating them and then gradually through the process of elections too. 

Transferring the already reserved seats will not add to the burden of reserving more seats and at the same time will recognize the civil and political rights of the transgender community.

Sign my petition asking for adequate political representation of the ‘Transgender Community’ so that we move towards a truly inclusive India.

Thank you for taking action, 
Revanth Reddy
Member of Indian Parliament from Malkajgiri, Telangana