Ganga Kumari appointed Rajasthan's first transgender constable

Ganga Kumari (24), is all set to become Rajasthan's first transgender police constable.

Ganga's two years of struggle ended as the Rajasthan High Court directed police department to appoint her as a constable.

A  resident of Raniwara, a small village in Jalore district of Rajasthan, Ganga was selected in the police recruitment examination in 2013, but her appointment was held up following  a medical examination.

She  was denied a post in 2015 owing to her gender, following which she was forced to take up a legal battle.

On November 14, the Rajasthan High Court gave relief to Ganga, by calling it a case of "gender bias".

Justice Dinesh Mehta asked the police department to appoint  Ganga within six weeks  of the date of order. It also ordered that notional benefits from 2015 be provided to her.

The youngest  among seven siblings, Ganga was disappointed when her appointment was  stalled based on her gender. "I never faced any kind of discrimination in my school or house. But I was disheartened when my appointment was  stalled in 2015.  That's when I  thought of  approaching  the court," she said.

"It is the victory of the entire transgender community. It's time people stop   discriminating  against us.  After a two-year-long  legal battle, I am happy and relieved," she added

The high court's decision has not only assured  Ganga a job, but also fulfiled her dream.

"It was my dream to serve the nation, which is why i opted for the job of constable in 2013. When i cleared the exam i was so happy and ready to serve the nation. But the last two years have been stressful for me. However now I am confident that i can overcome the problems," a beaming Ganga told DH.

A few months ago, 25-year-old K Prithika Yashini became the first transgender to join as a sub-inspector in the Tamil Nadu Police after the Madras High Court declared her candidature valid.