Top Law Schools Now Open to Transgender Community
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In a first-of-its-kind effort to implement the rights of the transgender community, some top Indian law schools have introduced an "others" category in various application forms.
Top law schools in the country have taken an important step forward in the area of implementing rights of transgender community. To acknowledge the transgender community, the premier law schools will introduce an ‘others’ category for them in various application forms. The new idea will come into effect from next academic year. Also, the new proposal will be presented before the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) committee.
Top Law Schools To Ensure That Selection will be based on Merit
The Vice-Chancellor of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, R. Venkata Rao mentioned having interactions with members of the transgender community. They pointed out that the application form contains only two categories Male or Female and no mention for transgender or others. He further added that the plan will be kept before the CLAT committee, which may meet in October or November 2010, to consider the matter.
Further, Rao added that members of transgender community will be selected on merit basis. The law school will counsel other students to treat them as equals, instead of making fun of them.
Top Law Schools Prepare Students and Professors
While NLSIU is still considering the move, the Bangalore University (BU) has already issued the changed application forms. The Vice-Chancellor of the BU, N. Prabhu Dev said that some members of the community have high IQ level. However, they are apprehensive to pursue higher education, due to the fear of social discrimination. He also added that they have equal legal rights, like any other student.
Professors have also been told about enrolling such students. Further, no student should mistreat them and if they do, a case of ragging will be filed and serious action will be taken, against the offenders.
The Mumbai University has already acknowledged transgender rights and allows members of the transgender community to enroll in any course of their choice. Most of them take admissions in distance learning courses for the commerce stream. The University’s Deputy Registrar, A. Rathod, said that their objective is access to all.
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