Ukhrul/Imphal, August 19: The High Court of Manipur has directed the state government to incorporate the provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 into all existing laws, rules and byelaws governing establishments in the state.
The ruling came in response to a petition filed by Dr. Beoncy Laishram, Manipur’s first transgender doctor, who sought the court’s intervention to have her name and gender changed on educational certificates.
In its order, the court said: “In all existing act/bye-laws/rules/regulations of any establishment within the meaning of Section 2(b) of the Act within the territory of State of Manipur, the provisions of Sections 6 & 7 of the Right of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 shall be incorporated.”
Sections 6 and 7 of the Act outline the process for obtaining a certificate of identity and updating official documents, including changes in gender following gender reassignment surgery.
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The court further directed the concerned authorities to issue fresh education certificates to Dr. Laishram under her new name and gender within one month.
Dr. Laishram, who was born male and previously known as Boboi Laishram, underwent gender reassignment surgery in October 2019. She was later issued a transgender identity card, and her updated details were incorporated into her Aadhaar, voter ID and PAN card.
However, despite repeated requests to the Board of Secondary Education Manipur, the Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur and Manipur University, officials declined to amend her academic records. That refusal ultimately led her to petition the High Court.
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