TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Hours after Supreme Court’s path-breaking decision recognised transgenders as third gender category and directed government to give them all facilities including reservations in jobs, Goa Su-Raj Party welcomed the verdict, claiming it is the only party to include third-gender issues in Lok Sabha 2014 manifesto.
Party’s secretary Savio Rodrigues said the election manifesto was drafted to ensure reservations for the third-gender in jobs and education. “It is indeed heartening to note that even the SC agrees with our stand and has passed an order in favor of protecting the rights of the third-gender to earn a living and educate themselves just like any citizen in the country,” he said.
The Election Commission of India in the on-going Lok Sabha election had included the option of others (referring to the third-gender) to vote. “The SC decision will assist organisations such as GSRP who believe that every citizen of this country has a legitimate right to be treated as a citizen and must not be discriminated against on the basis of their sexuality or sexual preference. We would put up a requisition to the Goa government to also create a reservation in jobs and education for the third-gender in light of the Apex Court’s decision,” Rodrigues asserted.
The apex court has also directed the Central and state governments to treat this gender as socially and economically backward classes.
