Kerala HC issues directive to amend NCC Act and enrol transgenders
The Hindu
In a landmark judgment, the Kerala High Court on Monday directed the National Cadet Corps (NCC) to amend in six months Section 6 of the National Cadet Corps Act and include transgender persons in the criteria for enrolment in the NCC.
Justice Anu Sivaraman while allowing a writ petition filed by Heena Haneefa, a transgender woman seeking a directive to enrol her in the NCC unit of her college, observed that the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019 recognised the right of transgenders to a life of dignity and prohibited discrimination against them. In fact, the provisions of the NCC Act could “not preclude the operation of the Transgender Rights Act, 2019”. The Act was intended to give effect to the rights of transgenders under Article 14, 15, 19, and 21 of the Constitution. In view of the specific provisions of the 2019 Act, “a transgender person has the right to be recognised not only as a transgender but also a right to self perceived gender identity”, the court added.More Related News