Shattering ceilings: Constable Ganga Kumari becomes first transgender to join Rajasthan Police

JAIPUR: Ganga Kumari could have become India’s first transgender to join security forces. But fate had other plans for her.

After a two-year-long battle, 24-year-old Kumari is all set to be Rajasthan’s first and India’s third transgender to join a state police force.

But the journey was not that easy.

A resident of Raniwara in Jalore district of Rajasthan, Kumari appeared for police recruitment examination for constables in 2013. After the police department halted her appointment, she moved high court. 

On Monday, Rajasthan High Court directed the state to appoint Kumari in the state police force within six weeks and treat her appointment from 2015 for purpose of seniority.

Kumari, who could have joined Rajasthan police in March 2015, was put on hold because she was a was a hermaphrodite (transgender). There was no clarity of rules, the police had said at that time.

Kumari says she never faced any problems as went to school and college in Raniwada town.

In April 2015, the Supreme Court recognised transgenders as ‘third gender’ which is neither male nor female. The top court also ruled that transgenders will be granted reservations in admissions to educational institutions and jobs.