RGNUL Punjab organizes conference on ‘Right to Identity of LGBTQ+ and Gender Fluidity’

NEW DELHI: The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) Punjab’s Pro Bono Club in collaboration with Nyaya Bandhu Pro Bono Legal Services, Department of Justice and EBC-SCC Online organized a colloquium on “Right to Identity of LGBTQ+ & Gender Fluidity”. With the objective to promote free legal aid to the marginalized, Pro Bono Club, RGNUL held deliberations on the rights of transgender people. The faculty and students of RGNUL attended the colloquium.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor G S Bajpai, Vice-Chancellor, RGNUL focused on the need to recognize the rights of LGBTQ+ and said, “The absence of legal gender recognition has led to several instances of humiliation and violence against the marginalized community.”

Also Read | Debt Burden: Student loans limiting career, higher education options for many

“Though there has been a shift towards allowing autonomy to trans people, a lot needs to be done for providing a life of dignity to them,” he added.

Dhananjay Chauhan, trans woman and the first transgender student of Panjab University, Chandigarh recounted her childhood experiences. “Gender division is not between two sexes, it is between two ears,” said Chauhan. While talking about mental and physical harassment confronted by her, Chauhan emphasized that procedural changes providing dignity to the community on paper must be ensured in practice also.

Kanika Jamwal focused on the concept of gender fluidity. She suggested various legislative, judicial amendments and gender neutral laws to prevent cross-complaints and ensure protection of victims.

Also Read | Fresher In a Metro: ‘My father allowed me to leave on 2 conditions’

Kanmani Ray, Research Associate, Centre for Justice, Law and Society, O P Jindal Global Law School, alluded to the importance of citing academicians from the trans community. She also talked about humiliation faced by the community. She was emphatic about the need to promote scholarships and fee concessions for trans people.

Maninderjit Singh spoke about the significance of reading queer literature. He highlighted the role of literature in providing myriad understanding about the problems of the LGBTQ+.