In a first, Palghar to get a separate burial ground for transgenders

Pawan Yadav (in green sari) with Guardian Minister Dadaji Bhuse who distributed ID cards, ration cards and R1,000 pension to transgenders in Palghar

Palghar district will soon become the first in India to have a cremation and burial ground exclusively for the transgender community.

Palghar district collector Dr Manik Grusal said that it is the responsibility of the local authorities to make funeral and burial facilities available to the transgender community, with regard to the additional provision of the law under The Transgender Person (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2019 and 2020. Grusal has written a letter to the commissioner of police, Mira-Bhayandar-Vasai-Virar; chief executive officer, Zilla Parishad, Palghar; superintendent of police, Palghar, and others, asking them to make necessary schemes available to the members of the transgender community on priority.

According to sources, the collector had issued the order last week and said that transgenders should not be differentiated from other people in society. He assured that they will be given all benefits under various government schemes. "A process has been initiated and so far, we have issued identity cards to 37 transgender people for availing benefits like a monthly pension of Rs 1,000," said Grusal.

Pawan Yadav, India's first transgender lawyer, took the first step of demanding rights for his community members. He is, at present, the state Congress president of the transgender cell.

Speaking to mid-day, Yadav said, "Last month, I met Maharashtra Congress president Sandhya Tai Sawalakhe and minister Nana Patole. I put forth my demand and they immediately agreed to help and arranged a meeting with the chief secretary Mukharji Madam on January 22." "Later, along with the delegation, we met the district collector of Palghar. I told him that jeene ka pata nahi, lekin marne ke baad bhi hamare saath bhedbhav hota hai (Do not know about life, but we are being discriminated against even in death)".

He added, "I informed the collector about the difficulties faced by the transgenders while performing the last rites. The collector immediately wrote a letter to the department concerned and asked them to provide a separate cremation and burial ground for the transgender people. I am happy that I have been able to do something for my community."