Inclusion of Transgenders in Indian Politics

The study will discuss the issues of the transgender community in Indian politics and provide suggestions and awareness to foster training, education and inclusion of the transgender community in politics. The paper attempts to explore and interpret the political, social and legal development of transgender people. According to the 2011 census India is home to 4.87 lakh transgender while only 10% are registered as voters of the total population of transgender people. There is limited research on the specific structural, cultural and social barriers that prevent transgender individuals from entering politics. Understanding these barriers is necessary to uncover the reason behind the underrepresentation in political institutions. The paper concludes with some suggestions and possibly a way forward to uplift and integrate the transgender into the mainstream from participation in social, political and religious activities to representative of the people in the parliament. It also provides information about the politicization of transgender community and identity politics in Indian politics. The paper aimed to investigate what is the current status of the political inclusion of transgender people and their experiences on political grounds. The paper also discusses the implementation of the NALSA judgment 2014 and how their minimal representation in politics can be increased.