Issue of transgenders important but sensitive: Minister Pijush Hazarika

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The issue of transgender or third gender was raised in the House today during the winter session of the Assam Legislative Assembly.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Mrinal Saikia said that most transgenders harass people on trains and roads to extort money. He urged the government to take steps to protect the rights of the third gender. At the same time, he said that the government should look into the issue of fake transgenders who harass people to extort money.

State Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Pijush Hazarika said that this was an important but "sensitive" issue. "We cannot forcefully identify transgenders as it is against the law. We cannot conduct medical test to ascertain if a person belongs to the third gender or not. So the only option left is self-attestation. Transgenders must declare their identity through self-attestation."

"The government has opened a portal to ascertain the actual number of transgenders in the State. Transgenders must declare their identity through self-attestation and upload their details in the portal so that the government can issue them identity cards and protect their rights. So far 135 trans people have applied in the portal. Out of the 135, 49 have been issued identity cards after verification. The verification of the remaining applicants is going on," he further said. On the issue of transgenders harassing people, the minister said that the district administration must take care of this.

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