Aradhana, along with five Tirunangas, joined forces to raise their voices for their rights. In 2022, the court issued clear instructions that all five Tirunangas be given female-like privileges in all stages, including the physical efficiency test, and that the entire recruitment process be completed within eight weeks.
Theni – Aradhana, a Tirunangas (transgender) woman in Theni district, Tamil Nadu, dreamed of getting a job in the police department, but even after eight years, her dream remains unfulfilled. Aradhana passed the Class II police recruitment exam in 2018, but has not been appointed. She fought a legal battle against the government and won a court decision, but her difficulties remain unresolved.
Aradhana (33), a resident of Parastrode 6th Street in Theni, is currently serving in the Home Guard (Oorakkaval Padai). She had a passion for wearing a police uniform since childhood. She explains, “When I wanted to apply for the second-tier police recruitment exam in 2018, I was denied permission because there was no separate application system for transgender people at that time.”
Aradhana didn’t give up. She approached the court and, following a court order, took the exam. She passed the written exam, but when it came to the Physical Efficiency Test, she wasn’t called. Following this, Aradhana filed another petition in the Madras High Court.
Recognizing the gravity of the matter, the High Court delivered a historic verdict. The court stated that transgender people live in extremely disadvantaged conditions in society, and therefore, they should be given reservations in government jobs. Based on this court order, a position was reserved for Aradhana in the police department in 2018.
Aradhana’s case was combined with those of other transgender people. A total of five transgender people joined forces to raise their voices for their rights. In 2022, the court issued clear instructions that all five Tirunanga candidates be given female-friendly privileges in all stages, including the physical efficiency test, and that the entire recruitment process be completed within eight weeks.
While this court decision gave hope to Aradhana and her colleagues, the Tamil Nadu government filed an appeal against the decision in the High Court. This appeal is still pending. Aradhana says, “We fought a legal battle, we won the decision, but it was of no use. The government appealed against us, and since then we are back in the same waiting phase.”
A few years ago, driven to despair, Aradhana filed a petition with the Teni Collector’s office. She stated, “If my dream of becoming a police officer is not fulfilled, revoke my citizenship and kill me through euthanasia.” Her action created a sensation in the area, but even then, her problem remained unresolved.
Aradhana explained that her fascination with the police uniform inspired her to join the Home Guard in 2019. She now serves there, but her true dream remains unfulfilled. She says, “It’s very difficult for us Tirunangas to live a normal life in this society. Our identity itself becomes the biggest obstacle to our dreams. Should we not get police jobs just because of our gender?”
Keeping her dream alive, Aradhana has appealed to the Tamil Nadu government, “Please withdraw the appeal filed against the court decision we won. Implement the court order. If this happens, the darkness in our lives will be lifted. May the Tamil Nadu government have mercy on us.” Pa. Ranjith’s Neelam Social Organization has also supported Aradhana and appealed to the Tamil Nadu government for support.
Geetha Sunil Pillai
Courtesy: Hindi News