Rehan Khan
The Law School at the University of Jammu, in partnership with the National Institute of Social Defence under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, recently hosted a one-day workshop centered on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and its accompanying Rules, 2020.
The event began with an inaugural session graced by Harvinder Kour, Mission Director of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) at the Department of Social Welfare, J&K, who served as the chief guest. The session also featured special guests, including retired Justice Rajesh Tandon, Advocate Pragya Aggarwal from the Supreme Court of India, and Prof. K.L. Bhatia. Dr. Seema Rohmetra, Director of the Law School, delivered the welcome address, where she stressed the importance of viewing transgender issues through a multifaceted lens.
A notable moment in the session was the release of two significant publications: Dr. Monika Narang’s book on research designs and methodology, and an edited volume by Dr. Nitan Sharma titled A World of Rights: Navigating the Global Landscape of Human Rights.
The subsequent session shifted focus to the socio-legal aspects of the Transgender Persons Act, 2019, and its practical implementation. Key speakers included retired Justice Rajesh Tandon, Subash Gupta (former District and Sessions Judge and Member of the Public Service Commission), and Dr. Hema Gandotra, Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at JU. The session was moderated by Dr. Palvi Mathavan.
A particularly moving address was given by Arnavi Sharma, the University of Jammu’s first transgender artist and activist, who shared her personal journey from Arnav to Arnavi. Sharma also touched upon the historical and scriptural recognition of transgender individuals, underscoring their inherent humanity and rights.
The afternoon session featured a role-playing exercise led by Advocate Nitan Parihar, founder of Meridian Law Chambers, which demonstrated the mediation process and its relevance in legal practice. Participants, including Anshika Gandhi, Suhasini Sharma, Kasak Gupta, Hemanya Puri, and Parth, engaged in practical scenarios to illustrate these concepts.
An engaging panel discussion followed, with insights from retired Justice Rajesh Tandon, Subash Gupta, Advocate Nitin Parihar, and Prof. K.L. Bhatia. The panel addressed critical topics such as legal recognition, healthcare access, and societal acceptance of transgender people.
The workshop concluded with a detailed report presented by Dr. Monika Bhardwaj, followed by a vote of thanks from Dr. Rajneesh Khajuria. Prof. K.L. Bhatia delivered an emotional reflection on his journey in establishing The Law School. The proceedings were expertly managed by Dr. Monika Narang, alongside students Rudrakshi Bakshi, Palak Gupta, Rupal, and Suhani Sharma.
The event was further honored by the presence of several distinguished advocates, including Adv. Prakash Nidhi Sharma, Adv. Vaishnavi Tiwari, Adv. Uma Kapahi, Adv. Abhay Nidhi Sharma, and Dr. P.P. Singh, adding to the significance of the occasion.