An Inspiring Story of India’s First Transgender Judge, Joyita Mondal
We humans have been struggling for equal rights in certain shapes for centuries. Discrimination, prejudice, domination, and inequality are unbreakable parts of humanity. Many people suffer on behalf of these social evils, some struggle, some fail, and many pass them. But most of us face these at some point in our lives or probably our whole life.
We live in different communities. Each community wears something special and different from the other. Some communities are seen as superior, worthy of respect, normal, and acceptable in society. While on the other hand, some are seen as abnormal and unacceptable. One such community is LGBTQ. We all are familiar with the thinking and behaviour our society holds for this community. People from this community have been struggling like breaking rocks with a kitchen knife. Not only India, but the whole world has been their sinner.
Words won’t suffice the struggle and hardships they have been the victims of. Thankfully the world has gradually become open-minded and accepting towards them. India was though late with this change but has become a part of this change for years now. Joyita Mondal is a flower that has blossomed through this change. Let’s read her story!
Becoming the first transgender judge in India
Fortunately, the Supreme Court declared transgenders to be officially recognised as a third gender in 2014. Since then, they have thankfully witnessed positive changes, claiming many employment avenues and attaining certain liberties. Joyita Mondal has made her name in history by becoming India’s first transgender judge. She’s been appointed to civil court in Islampur in North Bengal. The journey wasn’t a bed of roses for her. She had to pluck a lot of thorns to reach her destination.
How her initial life looked like
Joyita knew from a young age that she is all alone and has to be her own strength as her family didn’t stand with her. In the year 2009, she left her home and never looked back. She had to face even more difficulties when she was out on her own. People would misbehave with her and the hotels wouldn’t allow her to stay because of her identity. She had to sleep on footpaths and beg for survival. She was then accepted by a Hijra community in North Dinajpur.
The beginning of something fruitful
Joyita did not shake hands with the way she and transgender people were treated. Moreover, she observed that people from Hijra communities were not aware of their rights. She decided it was time that she should educate them about their rights and would become the forerunner of change.
Finally, in 2010 she established an NGO called Dinajpur Notun Alo Society. It focused on the welfare of the community and spreading awareness about their rights. Her determination and hard work started paying off with the passage of time. Her workforce became stronger each day getting acquaintance from Islampur’s Deputy Collector and District Magistrate, Thanduk Sherpa. This connection gained her the contact of a former additional district judge named Subrata Poley. Poley then recommended she be provided with a position in Islampur’s Lok Adalat.
A turning point in Joyita’s life
Getting a reference in the Lok Adalat was a turning point in her life. This was the beginning of a new life and journey for her. She was about to achieve what she had always been manifesting for herself and her community. Mondal finally attained the position of the social worker in the judicial panel. According to her views, she has been given the position of social worker and that’s exactly how people see her there. She is not a transgender there, she is an impartial judge.
Joyita Mondal’s becoming a part of the judiciary has given hope to transgenders in India. She has stood as an inspiration and motivation for those who seek it.
How Joyita Mondal’s story is a true inspiration for us
Joyita’s success is an eye-opener that every individual has the right to live the way s/he he wants. Everybody is equal and equality stands for all. Her struggles scream and tell us that sometimes we have to fight and suffer to get what is supposed to be ours. She has given hope and a beginning to many people like her. Though they have a long way to go yet, the final destination isn’t impossible. India is slow in change, but our people know how to fight for themselves. They will definitely succeed in bringing the revolution. Transgender Doctor of India, Dr Aqsa Shaikh
Author: Simran K Parmar
A post graduate in English Literature, secular humanist, critical thinker, an outspoken atheist, follower of equality and a lover of philosophy. craftedfashion94@gmail.com
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