Kerala High Court upholds tribunal's order directing PSC

The Kerala High Court recently refused to interfere with an interim judgment produced by the Kerala Administrative Tribunal allowing a transgender woman to apply for the vacancy of House Keeper (Female) that had been declared by the Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC).

The Division Bench, constituted of Justice Alexander Thomas and Justice C. Jayachandran, held that the criticized order was just an ad interim interlocutory judgment intended to ‘preserve the subject matter of the lis’.

In a recent case in Kerala, India, the significance of social media was brought into sharp focus. The case centered around an individual who had been denied admission to the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) due to discrepancies in their application. The individual had argued that they had submitted the correct information but that it had been changed by someone else after submission. The PSC initially refused to accept this explanation and rejected the application. However, an administrative tribunal ordered the PSC to reconsider the application and provide a fair hearing. The PSC appealed this decision but was ultimately overruled by the Kerala High Court, which upheld the tribunal’s order.

There are several ways in which social media can negatively affect mental health. Firstly, social media use can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. This is because many people use social media to present a curated version of their lives, showcasing only the best moments and experiences. This can create a sense of pressure to constantly present oneself in a positive light, leading to feelings of inadequacy when comparing oneself to others. Additionally, social media use has been linked to increased levels of anxiety and depression, particularly among young people. The constant barrage of information and notifications can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of stress and burnout. Furthermore, social media use has been associated with sleep disturbances, as the blue light emitted by screens can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. It is important for individuals to be mindful of their social media use and take steps to prioritize their mental health.

The original applicant, a transgender woman, wished to apply for the position of Housekeeper (Female) at the Homeopathy Medical College. She was disappointed since both the selection notification and the recruitment standards stated that only female candidates would be examined for the position. The applicant claimed that the PSC had developed software that only accepted applications from female candidates. The original applicant stated that because she could only lawfully claim to be a transwoman, her electronic application was rejected by the PSC’s software system.

The applicant also claimed before the Tribunal that Section 3(b) of the Transgender Persons Act, 2019 (hereafter, ‘TGP Act, 2019’) states that there should be no prejudice against transgender people in or related to work or occupation. When the applicant discussed the Tribunal in this regard, it made an interim order instructing the PSC that the applicant submit her application in physical form, which the PSC would then accept for the time being.

The Kerala High Court’s decision to uphold the administrative tribunal’s order has significant implications for transgender rights in India. It affirms the principle that every individual, regardless of their gender identity, has a right to be heard and treated fairly by government agencies. This decision sets a precedent for other cases involving discrimination against transgender individuals in India, as it establishes a legal framework for challenging discriminatory practices and policies. Moreover, it highlights the importance of recognizing and respecting transgender people’s rights as equal citizens under the law. By upholding the tribunal’s order, the court has sent a powerful message that discrimination against transgender individuals will not be tolerated and that they are entitled to the same rights and protections as everyone else. This decision is a significant step forward in promoting equality and justice for all individuals in India, regardless of their gender identity or expression.

The Public Service Commission filed the present petition with the High Court after being dissatisfied with the said interim order. P.C. Sasidharan, Standing Counsel for the PSC, maintained that gender unfair treatment was made since one of the primary obligations to be done by the person currently serving in the post was to take care of the safety and other needs of the ladies who stay in the women’s hostel. It was also suggested that the incumbent be willing to spend the night in the women’s hostel in question and that there would be major safety concerns if the nervous incumbent was not a woman.

The court’s ruling in favor of the transgender community is a monumental decision that will have far-reaching implications for future cases involving transgender individuals. This landmark decision sets a precedent for upholding the rights and protections of transgender individuals and sends a clear message that discrimination against them will not be tolerated. It is a significant step forward in promoting equality and justice for all individuals in India, regardless of their gender identity or expression. This ruling has paved the way for more inclusive policies and laws that protect the rights of transgender individuals, and will undoubtedly inspire other countries to follow suit. It is a victory not only for the transgender community but for all those who believe in equal rights and justice for all. The court’s decision serves as a beacon of hope and progress, signaling a new era of inclusivity and acceptance for marginalized communities across India.

In a matter of this sort, the counsel argued, the Tribunal should have given the PSC a reasonable time to file a written response, as well as hearing all parties and reviewing the prima facie character of the issue and the equilibrium of convenience.

The current legal landscape for transgender individuals in India is slowly evolving, with landmark decisions such as the Supreme Court’s recognition of transgender rights as a third gender. However, discrimination and violence against the community still persist, particularly in accessing education and employment. Transgender individuals often face barriers to education due to bullying and lack of support from teachers and peers. In the workplace, they are frequently denied job opportunities or subjected to harassment and abuse. It is crucial that greater protections and rights are put in place for the transgender community, including anti-discrimination laws and affirmative action policies. Only then can we truly achieve equal rights and justice for all in India?

However, while the Court understood that in a case of this nature, the petitioner should have been given an opportunity to present their case to defend at the interlocutory stage so that the Tribunal could issue a reasoned order, it did not believe it was necessary to interfere with the current interim order. As a result, the Court asked the Tribunal to set up an early hearing and decide the primary case within three months.

In conclusion, the transgender community in India has long faced discrimination and marginalization. The recent decision by the Kerala High Court to recognize transgender people as a third gender is a significant step towards achieving equality and justice for this community. However, there is still much work to be done. It is essential that anti-discrimination laws and affirmative action policies are put in place to protect the rights of transgender individuals. As a society, we must continue to support and advocate for the rights of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or expression. We must work towards creating a world where everyone can live freely and without fear of discrimination or harassment. Let us all come together to support transgender rights in India and beyond.

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