New Delhi: After introducing the transgender option in the gender column of its admission forms, Delhi University is now working to draw up the modalities for them to enrol at the varsity.
DU's Cluster Innovation Centre (CIC) has taken up a project—“The Third ‘I': Dignity of Being”—under which it is focusing on accommodating the members of the transgender community within the varsity's academic space. The team will propose a draft to DU's admission committee, which will give its final nod to the policy. The policy will be implemented in the upcoming academic session, admissions for which begin in June.
“What will be the percentage of reservations for them, will they share the OBC quota or a sub-category will be made, financial assistance, anti-harassment rules, hostel accommodation, toilets, separate TG cells and healthcare facilities are the subjects being studied before we come up with a set of guidelines to be followed for their admissions,” CIC Director, Madan Mohan Chaturvedi, told PTI. After Supreme Court last year acknowledged transgenders as the ‘third gender', DU had introduced the option of choosing the transgender category in the admission forms for post-graduate courses.
According to the varsity, of the 90,000 applications received last year for admission to its various post-graduate courses, nine were of candidates who had selected the transgender option.
The varsity had also announced last year that it will include the option in admission forms for undergraduate courses as well.
“Just giving them an opportunity to identify themselves on admission forms will not solve the entire purpose. We need to have a proper policy in place to admit them as third gender students.
“The team has initiated discussions in this regard amongst stakeholders with a view to formulating effective guidelines. We will also be preparing a module to sensitise varsity students to accept the transgenders without any discrimination. DU also intends to share that module with other educational institutions,” Chaturvedi said. The varsity is also mulling a counselling desk so that transgender students are not apprehensive or misguided at the time of seeking admission. Also on its agenda is developing special infrastructure for transgender students.
“Our goal is to reverse prejudice, spread awareness and appeal to basic human consciousness... to make sure that no transgender who wants education and enters the varsity is ever harassed, discriminated against or made to feel uncomfortable for being who they are,” said Rajesh, a professor at DU's department of Adult Continuing Education.
Rajesh, who has been a former Member of the National Committee on Transgender, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, also said, “Consultations are on with various NGOs working for the transgender community so that their fears and problems can be gauged and addressed in the policy.”
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