EC's decision comes as big reprieve for eunuchs
PTI
Sunday, November 22, 2009 14:37 IST
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_ec-s-decision-comes-as-big-reprieve-for-eunuchs_1314939New Delhi: The formal recognition to transsexuals by the Election Commission (EC) as a special category has brought a big relief for the six million-strong community which had to compromise with its identity while exercising its right to franchise for the past 52 years.
"The EC's recent decision to formally recognise transsexuals and eunuchs as 'others' on the electoral list and voter ID cards is a step forward, as it has given us the basic right to vote with our own separate identity," says prominent eunuch activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi.
Laxmi, a transsexual and founder of the campaign group Astitva, said, "This is the sign of maturity of our democracy. Now it is moving ahead in the direction of extending the constitutional and fundamental rights to each and every citizen of the country."
