2,000 transgenders excluded from Assam NRC list, plea filed in SC

A petition has been filled in the apex court seeking its direction in the issue of around 2,000 transgenders being excluded from the list of National Register of Citizens (NRC) of Assam.

Speaking to ANI on the issue of the exclusion of transgenders from the list, Assam's first transgender judge and petitioner Swati Bidhan Baruah said: "Most transgenders were abandoned, they do not have documents pertaining to before 1971. Objection applications did not contain 'others' as a gender category."

She also alleged that the NRC exercise was not inclusive for the transgender community.

"NRC was not inclusive for transgenders and forced them to accept male or female as their gender. We are hoping the Supreme Court will take into consideration our petition," Baruah said.

Over 3 crore persons were found eligible for inclusion in final NRC leaving out more than 19 lakh persons including those who did not submit their claims.

Those not satisfied with the outcome can file an appeal before Foreigners Tribunals, a government statement said.