Image Courtesy : www.tshc.gov.in

The Telangana High Court has urged the Centre, state government, and National Medical Commission to embrace inclusivity and grant reservation under the transgender quota.

Dr. Koyyala Ruth John Paul, a transgender woman from the Scheduled Caste, stands as the petitioner whose plea found favor with the esteemed court. Within its hallowed chambers, Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N Tukaramji presided, recognizing the importance of rendering a decision that would bring genuine benefit to the petitioner.

In their order, the illustrious bench proclaimed that as the counseling commences for NEET PG 2023, the relevant authorities, especially the Medical Counselling Commission of Telangana, must bestow upon the petitioner the status of the third gender. This recognition, combined with her rightful identity as a "Scheduled Caste" candidate, should be considered while deliberating her admission into any of the courses, be it under the central quota or the State quota for NEET PG 2023.

In a gesture of empathy, the court acknowledged that if any obstacles impede the petitioner's path, she has the freedom to apprise the court during the upcoming hearing scheduled for July 20.

The petitioner's lawyer highlighted the predicament faced by Dr. Paul. Despite securing a commendable score of 291 out of 800 marks in the NEET PG 2023, she was merely treated as an SC candidate, with her unique status as a member of the third gender disregarded. To rectify this injustice, the lawyer implored that one seat in the Post Graduate course, whether under the State quota or the central quota, should be earmarked for Dr. Paul.

Drawing strength from a Supreme Court judgment, the lawyer emphasized that not only must members of the transgender community be recognized as the third gender, but there exists a mandate from the apex court for the central and state governments to provide reservations and treat them as socially and educationally backward citizens. This decree extends to admissions in educational institutions and public appointments, as a beacon of progress in our society.

Dr. Paul, a trailblazer in her own right, had made history by becoming one of Telangana's first transgender doctors to serve in the government sector. Yet, despite her accomplishments, she faced the ignominy of being categorized as "female" during the counseling session for All India and State Quota seats in November 2022, despite having registered as a member of the third gender.

Undeterred by the initial setback, Dr. Paul persistently pursued justice by reaching out to the Centre, state government, National Medical Commission, and other relevant entities. Alas, her pleas went unanswered, prompting her to turn to the court for redress.