When years of social stigma and seclusion seemed to have eased, there was one more battle for K. Aradhana, 28, of Theni district. The transgender’s application for the post of Police Constable (Grade-II) was rejected by the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB) on the grounds that she had crossed the age limit fixed for Backward/Most Backward Classes. There is a standing government order that all transgenders seeking government jobs shall be considered under MBC quota.
Unperturbed by the rejection, Ms. Aradhana moved the Madras High Court and got a single judge order upholding her claim for age relaxation. When the TNUSRB went on appeal citing the age criteria prescribed in the Tamil Nadu Police Subordinate Services Rules, the Madras High Court Bench not only allowed the candidate to participate in the recruitment process but recommended to the Tamil Nadu government to consider giving age relaxation to transgenders seeking jobs. Though the entire recruitment process was done online, Ms. Aradhana had to come to Chennai and get it in the last minute due to the legal processes. She will be among 20 transgenders in the race to fill 6,140 vacancies in the police, fire service and prison departments.
Childhood dream
Talking to The Hindu, Aradhana said getting into the police force was a childhood dream.
When she applied in the 2017 recruitment, the TNUSRB rejected her application since her name had not been changed formally. “Now they are talking about age. They say the age limit for BC/MBC candidates is 26. But we belong to the transgender community that never enjoyed any benefit of reservation in education or employment. This is a lifetime opportunity...why bring us under the BC/MBC category for the purpose of age criteria,” she asked.
“I need this job not only to realise my dream but to support my family,” she said.
