Not accepted by students or teachers, DU transgenders are now dropping out

Delhi University had taken a progressive step towards inclusivity in 2014, when it decided to let transgenders identify themselves as the the third gender while enrolling in colleges. The aim was to make transgenders feel safe and comfortable. However, even after three years, the reality is far from it.

Even though transgenders can fill up an online admission form, register under "Other" category, the bias and the stigma attached to their community has followed them into their classrooms. Bullying, ostracism and lack of facilities has compelled many such students to drop out and venture out of the University for other options. The University has received about 62 applications form so far, but that hasn't made the campus safe for them.

The Rampant Bullying From Officials And Fellow Students Makes The Campus An Unsafe Place
The transgender community has always been isolated by the society and DU isn't any different either. There are have been various cases of bullying, discrimination, and ill-treatment by not only students, but also university officials.

Also Read: Not accepted by students or teachers, DU transgenders are now dropping out

In an interview to the Hindustan Times, Anu, a Delhi-based transgender who visited the campus last year to fill up the admission form, said "When we were filing the form, they (some officials in DU) asked us: how long have you been a transgender? Since how many days?" This experience was so harrowing for her that she decided against taking admission in the University.

Another transgender from Delhi also told the daily that although she was excited to visit the campus, but after being teased and called a "chhakka" among other slurs, she withdrew her admission.

In an interview to NDTV, a transgender student Ishana also recalled that she had to endure a lot of bullying from her classmates, "When I first entered college, a group of boys started harassing me. Since that day, I haven't attended a single class at the university. I took tuition to pass my exams," she said.

There Are No Separate Washrooms For Transgenders In DU Which Only Leads To More Violence
Even after University Grants Commission (UGC) gave instructions to universities in 2014 to build a transgender-friendly infrastructure, nothing has been done. There are still no separate washrooms for them despite UGC's orders.

Not having a separate washroom can easily put these students at the risk of being harassed by other students. As there are no separate provisions for their safety, the university too can't do anything in case of violence. The worst part is that transgender students aren't even able to complain to the authorities because there are no grievance redressal committees for them.

Also Read: Transgender people are now allowed to use toilets of their choice, but dear government, what are you doing to fight stigma?

While the Central Government had allowed transgenders to use the washroom of their choice recently, desensitization has prohibited them to do that in reality.

However, It's Not An Impossible Feat To Achieve
Panjab University had recently started the construction of a separate washroom for transgender students, to make sure they have safe place of their own. While the move took them a while, they have still been able to set a precedent in the field of education.

Also Read: In a first, Panjab University will soon have a separate toilet for transgender students

This only proves that it's not that difficult for the DU to have proper facilities and infrastructure to support the students from this community as well. However, it doesn't just start by making washrooms, it also includes creating awareness among students and teachers so that transgender students are not humiliated or bullied.

The thing is there is a difference between having a provision on paper and actually working towards it to make changes at the ground level. The Supreme Court of India may have recognized the third gender, but the society is yet to do away with the stigmas and adapt with time. We can only hope that the university will realize that it's responsibility is to provide education to everyone regardless of their gender. It will only possible if everyone's need is taken care of equally.