Telangana Becomes First State to Recruit Transgender Individuals as Home Guards

Hyderabad, November 29, 2024: In a landmark decision, the Telangana Government has announced the recruitment of transgender individuals as Home Guards to assist with traffic regulation across the state. This move, part of a larger effort to integrate and empower the transgender community, was discussed at a planning meeting led by Ms. Anitha Ramachandran IAS, Principal Secretary of Women Development and Child Welfare, and Mr. Mahesh Bhagwat IPS, Additional DGP of Law and Order. The recruitment will help address both the need for increased traffic management in Hyderabad and offer transgender individuals the opportunity for dignified employment, making this the first-ever government-led initiative of its kind in India.

The initiative, which is seen as both a welfare measure and a solution to a public service need, has garnered significant attention. Under this program, transgender individuals will be recruited as volunteers to assist in traffic management alongside existing Home Guards. They will undergo a week-long training in traffic regulation before being deployed on the streets to support the Hyderabad Traffic Police. The decision to involve transgender people in this role is part of an ongoing effort by the Telangana Government to offer more inclusive job opportunities to marginalized communities. Officials have stated that the recruits will receive the same wages, perks and privileges as other Home Guards, with special provisions for uniforms and equipment.

The idea of recruiting transgender individuals as Home Guards is not an isolated event but rather the culmination of years of advocacy by Montfort Rainbows, a program initiated by Montfort Social Institute (MSI) in 2019. MSI’s efforts began during the COVID-19 pandemic when the transgender community faced unprecedented hardships. With many transgender individuals reliant on begging and sex work for survival, the lockdown left them vulnerable and in dire need of assistance. In response, MSI provided relief to over 4,000 transgender people in the two Telugu states, offering food, financial aid and support. This was followed by training programs in skills such as jute product manufacturing, leading to the establishment of several transgender-run businesses.

Brother Varghese Theckanath of the Montfort Brothers of St Gabriel , a key advocate for the welfare and a member of the Telangana State Transgender Welfare Board, explained that these early efforts played a crucial role in gaining the government's attention. "We demonstrated the potential of the transgender community by helping them transition into income-generating activities. This not only provided them with financial independence but also laid the groundwork for future policy changes," Brother Theckanath said. The support of community leaders like Tashi, a transgender Buddhist monk and Rachana Mudraboyina, who have long fought for transgender rights, further solidified the case for policy change.

Despite the progress made, the path to this historic recruitment initiative has not been without its challenges. Brother Theckanath highlighted the primary obstacle as a widespread lack of awareness and understanding among the public and government officials regarding the vulnerabilities and needs of transgender individuals. "For transgender people, even the most basic activities like finding housing, using a public restroom or accessing healthcare can be difficult," he stated.

Initially hesitant, the Telangana Government gradually became more receptive to proposals aimed at empowering transgender people. According to Brother Theckanath, the government’s decision to recruit transgender individuals into the Home Guard service was influenced by the minimal budgetary implications of such programs, as well as the growing recognition of the transgender community's potential. The Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy, has publicly supported the initiative, underscoring its dual purpose of aiding both the transgender community and the traffic management department.

Brother Theckanath emphasized that this initiative is not just about providing employment but also about creating visibility and fostering acceptance. "Traffic regulation is a very public service, and through this role, we aim to show the public that transgender people are capable, dignified individuals deserving of respect," he said.

The long-term goal is to mainstream the transgender community, ensuring that they are treated as equals in all aspects of life, from employment to healthcare to social interactions. As part of the broader push for inclusion, the Telangana Government has also taken steps to improve transgender healthcare by setting up exclusive clinics, with plans to extend this model to other districts.

With continued support and advocacy, the hope is to build a more inclusive and accepting society for transgender individuals, not only in Telangana but across India.

By Catholic Connect Reporter