In a landmark victory for transgender rights in Northeast India, Dr. Beoncy Laishram, the region's first transgender doctor, has won a legal battle to have her new identity reflected in her academic certificates. The Manipur High Court has directed state authorities to issue fresh educational certificates with her chosen name and gender.
Dr. Laishram, born as Boboi Laishram, underwent gender reassignment surgery on October 8, 2019. Subsequently, she updated her name and gender on her Aadhaar card, Voter ID, and PAN card through the District Magistrate of Imphal West. However, her academic certificates still reflected her birth name and gender, creating a significant hurdle for her professional identity.
The court's decision came after Dr. Laishram filed a petition seeking to update her name and gender on her matriculation certificate, Class 12 certificate, MBBS certificate, Medical Council registration certificate, and other educational documents. Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma, presiding over the case, acknowledged the predicament faced by Dr. Laishram, emphasizing that despite the gender reassignment and updated identity documents, her educational records continued to display her previous name and gender.
The High Court order mandates that the Board of Secondary Education (BOSEM), Council of Higher Education (COHSEM), Manipur University, and Manipur Medical Council issue new certificates reflecting Dr. Laishram's new name, Beoncy Laishram, and her gender as female. The court directed these authorities to comply with the order within one month, referencing the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and the Transgender Rules of 2020.
This verdict marks a historic moment as the first instance in Northeast India where a court has ruled in favor of a transgender petitioner seeking updated educational certificates. Shanta Khurai, a transgender rights activist, hailed the decision as a "big win" for the transgender community in the Northeast region and the country, emphasizing that it sets a legal precedent for transgender rights. Khurai recounted that Dr. Laishram had sought her assistance in updating her official documents, highlighting the long-pending legal struggle.
The ruling underscores the importance of aligning official documents with an individual's affirmed gender identity, ensuring that transgender individuals are recognized and respected in all aspects of their lives. This landmark decision not only paves the way for Dr. Beoncy Laishram to practice medicine with dignity and recognition but also serves as a beacon of hope for other transgender individuals seeking to affirm their identities in academic and professional spheres.
