Telangana announced a history-creating ‘Transgender traffic force’ but challenges galore.

Activists noted that unless an official notification was issued in this regard, there would be no clarity on the force, including recruitment, pay and other benefits.

By: Saicharan Sana

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy revealed that this special force would have a distinct uniform.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced that the Congress was on course to set a precedent in India by employing a force consisting of transgender people to manage traffic in Hyderabad.

During a review meeting on 13 September, Revanth Reddy announced that this move would address empowering transgender people and traffic management simultaneously.

He revealed that the government was formulating the pay and employment structure for the force. Additionally, the force is set to have a distinct uniform.

Meanwhile, activists noted that unless an official notification was issued in this regard, there would be no clarity on the force, including recruitment, pay and other benefits.

‘Cautiously optimistic’

“I welcome this move from the government. It is a step in the right direction,” said Vyjayanthi Vasanta Mogli, a transgender activist based out of Hyderabad.

However, Vyjayanthi noted that just an announcement wouldn’t bring about social reforms since it would mean covering only the tip of the larger iceberg.

“It is hard to anticipate change based on a speech. Until we don’t have it in writing, all we can do is speculate,” she opined. “While I’m all for including transgender people in traffic regulation teams, I’m also cautiously optimistic,” Vyjayanthi said. Transgender activist Rachana Mudraboyina echoed this concern, noting that there is no clarity regarding the specifics of this force.

“The biggest immediate challenge I could anticipate is gender sensitisation. If this transgender force does materialise, will the traffic police personnel understand how to engage with them?” Vyjayanthi asked.

Finding this concerning, she elaborated: “There are some things one must avoid while talking to transgender people. I don’t think most police officers would pass a pop quiz on gender sensitivity.”

“Sensitising the police should be an ongoing process. Even after the 2014 NALSA v. Union of India judgement, I see little effort from the government to sensitise its forces and the public,” Rachana opined.

In 2014, NALSA v. Union of India identified transgender as the third gender, granting them equal rights. It granted transgender people the right to self-identify and directed the government to make reservations for the community. However, Rachana noted a contrast between the judgement and reality.

“There is a vast gap between the 2014 Supreme Court judgement and the public’s mentality,” she stated.

Vyjayanthi also identified public morale as the subsequent challenge this force would face. “The police are much easier to sensitise than the general public. There’s a fixed number of cops unlike the public,” she stated.

Additionally, Rachana identified income as another potential challenge. Revanth Reddy announced that the government was currently looking at the pay for members of this force.

“If the salary the government pays is nominal, falling short of what a transgender person can earn from sex work or begging, it won’t become a primary motivator for opting into the force,” she said.

Addresses need for campaign

Vyjayathi believes that the government should formulate a campaign like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padao‘ (save and educate daughters) to empower transgender people.

“I’m not in the field of advertising, but I’m sure the government can afford to run an effective and catchy campaign statewide to educate the people more,” Vyjayanthi hoped, stressing the importance of education and employment for transgender people.

Vyjayanti highlighted that since the force might not be on the official payroll, they might encounter issues similar to those of other contract workers under the government.

“Today, you have your Anganwadi and sanitation workers, or as the government dubbed them, Safai Karamcharis. They are not direct employees of the government. They are essentially contractual employees. Despite their crucial role in our society, it is apparent how poor their working conditions are. It is hard to tell what’ll happen to the transgender force until we have a conclusive policy document,” Vyjayanthi rested.

“Just like male or female, ‘transgender’ is also another gender. They are no less than any other person and can be employed depending on their skills,” Hyderabad Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Traffic Rahul Hegde opined.

He reported that there is not much known as the move is yet to be implemented.

“Why just volunteers? They (transgender people) can clear the necessary exams and become officers too,” he expressed hope.

However, Hyderabad has been witnessing a recent crackdown on transgender people, with narratives of “real” and “fake” transgenders resurfacing.

The police arresting seven transgender people on 27 September and the subsequent release of their photographs to the public has also caught flak from across society.

Subsequently, Civil Society Organisations and activists formulated a joint representation condemning the police excesses and demanding redressal. They presented it to numerous organisations including the National Human Rights Commission and the Telangana Police.

“The police’s crackdown on the community makes the government’s stand unclear,” Rachana said.

While South First tried to reach out to the government contact anyone with information from the government.

Courtesy: The South First 

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