Description

About The Book

Breaking Barriers: Legal Recognition and Rights of Transgenders in India provides a comprehensive examination of the legal, constitutional, and human rights dimensions of transgender identity and citizenship in India. The book traces the historical evolution of transgender communities, including hijras, kinnars, and other gender-diverse groups, and analyzes the social, cultural, and legal challenges they have faced across different periods.

Drawing upon constitutional principles, judicial decisions, statutory developments, and international human rights standards, the book critically examines the recognition of transgender persons as the “third gender” and the expanding framework of rights relating to equality, dignity, identity, education, employment, healthcare, and political participation. Special attention is given to the landmark judgment of the NALSA v. Union of India Judgment and subsequent legislative developments, including the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

The book further explores the gaps between legal recognition and lived realities, highlighting issues of discrimination, social exclusion, access to justice, and implementation of welfare measures. Through a socio-legal and constitutional lens, it evaluates the effectiveness of existing laws and policies while proposing reforms to ensure substantive equality and full inclusion of transgender persons in Indian society.

Intended for scholars, researchers, legal practitioners, policymakers, students, and human rights advocates, this book contributes to the growing discourse on gender justice and offers valuable insights into the continuing struggle for recognition, dignity, and equal citizenship for transgender persons in India

About The Author

Dr. Rashmi Pradhan is Principal of University Law College, Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh. She holds a law degree from Banaras Hindu University and earned her Ph.D. from Invertis University. Having practiced as an advocate before the Jharkhand High Court for seven years, she later entered academia and has devoted her career to legal education and research.

Dr. Pradhan specializes in constitutional law, gender justice, and transgender rights. She has authored several scholarly articles and books, including Doctrine of Judicial Review: Limits and Contours, Gender Justice and the Indian Constitution, and Transgender Rights in India. Her work focuses on advancing constitutional values, equality, and the protection of marginalized communities through legal scholarship and advocacy.