Manipur High Court directs issuance of fresh certificates to transgender doctor

IMPHAL — The High Court of Manipur on Tuesday directed the Board of Secondary Education Manipur, Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur, Manipur University and Manipur Medical Council to issue fresh educational and professional certificates to transgender petitioner Dr. Beoncy Laishram, reflecting her new name and gender as female “within a period of one month.”

The single bench of Justice A Guneshwar Sharma of the High Court of Manipur heard the case on Tuesday and passed the order based on a petition filed by 32-year-old Beoncy Laishram of Kakwa Laiphrakpam leikai,Maibam Leikai in Imphal West district.

The court order directed the authorities mentioned above to replace the original entries of “male” and “Boboi Laishram” with “female” and “Beoncy Laishram,” respectively in the fresh certificates.

Dr. Beoncy Laishram, had undergone gender reassignment surgery in 2019, after which she was recognised by the District Magistrate, Imphal West, under provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and Rules, 2020.

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She was issued a transgender certificate, identity card and subsequently updated her name and gender in Aadhaar, voter ID, and PAN records.

Despite her legal recognition, her requests to the Board of Secondary Education Manipur, Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur and Manipur University in February 2024 for updated educational certificates went unanswered, forcing her to approach the court.

The High Court cited Sections 6, 7, 10 and 20 of the Transgender Act, 2019 and Rule 2(d) read with Annexure-I of the Transgender Rules, 2020 to uphold her right to identity and directed the concerned authorities to issue fresh certificates accordingly.

Dr. Laishram is the first openly transgender medical doctor from Northeast India.

On hearing the news, well-known transgender rights activist Santa Khurai said, “This is the moment I’ve been waiting for-this is historic and this is also a long standing legal battle starting from 2023 if I’m not wrong. I express my heartfelt gratitude to all people and organisations who have contributed in this journey.”