MADURAI: A transgender railway employee’s forced exit from the ladies compartment of the Guruvayur-Chennai Express on Wednesday here triggered allegations of discriminations against the transgender community.
According to sources in the railways, transgender A Sindhu (30) employed in the signal department of Dindigul railway station had boarded the ladies compartment of the Guruvayur - Chennai express here to go to Dindigul. Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) A Pandiyan refused to allow Sindhu to travel in the ladies compartment despite repeated pleas. He reportedly told her that only ladies and children under 5 years are allowed to travel in the compartment and off loaded her.
SRMU employees union office bearers who came to know of this arrived at the spot and protested against the TTE. Later, Pandiyan apologized to Sindhu. On account of the commotion, the train left the Madurai station only after 30 minutes.
Transgenders’ association has condemned the incident. Bharathi Kannamma, a member of district legal aid service said, “Supreme court has clearly said that a transgender has every right to choose her gender. It is clearly a violation of human rights and a case of discrimination against transgenders. I will move the High court to secure appropriate directions.”
Another transgender, Swapna said, “We have to fight for respect, dignity and even basic rights.”
Madurai Divisional Manager Sunil Kumar Garg said, “As far as I know there are no guidelines or rules that permit transgender to travel in ladies compartment.”