Can’t bar eunuchs from availing benefits: HC

Questioning the rationale behind not giving reservation to eunuchs in government jobs,Justice Jasbir Singh told the counsel for the Centre,“You may or may not give benefits but you cannot bar them from availing any benefits.”

Expressing serious anguish over the discrimination faced by eunuchs,Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal remarked: “They are human beings. They are citizens of this country. This is just not fair. Just because of their sexuality,you cannot debar them from an opportunity in service. Give them an opportunity”.

The observations were passed in the wake of a public interest litigation filed by Kajal Mangal Mukhi,a eunuch and resident of Sector 35,Chandigarh.

Kajal had sought directions for the states to allow eunuchs to join government services. She had taken the stand that despite being professionally and academically competent,eunuchs were not allowed to join government service.

Reservation in government jobs for eunuchs was also sought.

On the earlier date of hearing,the Centre’s counsel had informed the court that the issue of granting reservation in government jobs in the category of handicapped persons is being considered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Submitting that eunuchs should be allowed reservation keeping in view their “disability”,Omkar Singh Batalvi,counsel for the Central government,had stated that if given an opportunity,eunuchs could also prove their mettle.

He had said since eunuchs were left out by society,they never got an opportunity to make a future for themselves. The case was adjourned after the counsel for the Punjab government and Centre sought time to inform the court with the steps taken by them in this regard.