Madhav Dulal/Kathmandu (Pahichan) January 23 – Supreme Court on Monday issued a verdict requesting to provide citizenship to gender and sexual minority under the Others (O) category. The Ministry of Home Affairs has already begun providing citizenship on the basis of identity but there are still obstacles in the districts. The fresh verdict by court is likely to ease the process across the country and there will not be hassles. A joint bench of Hari Krishna Karki and Deep Kumar Karki issued a verdict to the District Administration Office to issue citizenship on the basis of gender identity.
According to advocate Sujan Panta, the verdict has paved the way to change the gender who has earlier received citizenship on the basis of male and female. The court has also given verdict to conduct an orientation on the same issue. Though the issue was settled by court in 2064, a writ was filed at Supreme Court after members of this community faced various difficulties including the medical certificate and reluctance of government agencies.
On the part of petitioner, Advocate Sujan Panta and Former Attorney General Hari Phuyal were involved in the hearing demanding this.
On the behalf of BDS, Former Lawmaker Sunil Babu Panta and Chairman of BDS Pinky Guurng, transgender Anika Rana have registered a petition demanding to ensure the citizenship on the basis of gender identity without any hassles.
The members of gender and sexual minority have welcome the SC verdict and they celebrating it. Chairman of BDS Pinky Gurung who was present when the hearing was underway, said verdict has made her very happy The Supreme Court Verdict will ease the process of receiving citizenship on the basis of identity, it will help to maintain uniformity,” she said
Former Lawmaker Sunil Babu Pant has congratulated the members of this community stating that SC court verdict is appreciative. “Good news, congratulation,” Pant said.
Originally posted at Pahichan Voice fo Right, on Jan 13, 2017. Available here.