Sub inspector Prithika Yashini is a role model for transgenders, the third gender, which is often looked down upon by our society.
Prithika’s selection into the police force and the court order that paved way for it is a historic event for transgenders and people furthering their cause. Prithika talks to Onmanorama about her eventful journey from cotton to khaki.
You have treaded a different path from other transgenders?
The society looks down upon us and we face a lot of challenges in leading a normal life like others. When transgenders are not accepted in different walks of life, it creates a feeling of dejection in them and that results in withdrawal. In my case, it was my love for sports that encouraged me to apply to the police force.
What are the challenges that you faced in the selection process?
It was in 2013 that Pradeep Kumar alias Prithika underwent a sex change surgery to become a female. But changing the name from Pradeep Kumar to Prithika in government records took a lot of time. At the time of application to enter the police force, there was no category for transgenders and therefore my application under the name Prithika was among female candidates’ applications.
Since the gender was male as per other documents and the application was under a feminine name, it was rejected. This led to seemingly unending legal battles, which finally saw the court giving a verdict in my favour. My score in the written examination was really good but in the physical test, I was once again rejected citing a one-second delay in the 200 meter race. But there too, the Madras High Court’s timely intervention helped me get through.
What is your key to success?
I succeeded because I did not fumble over the rigid barriers raised by the society owing to its misgivings about how they perceive transgenders. Society should know more about transgenders to eradicate its false beliefs about them. As of today, there is no awareness about a third gender in India and I strongly feel that it is high time that the sex education in schools covered the third gender.
What do you have to say about the approach of your family and friends towards you?
My childhood was spent in Salem. The realisation that I belong to the third gender came during my school days but my family was initially not ready to accept it. But slowly they came to terms with the reality. I had a lot of male friends since my childhood but many of them distanced themselves from me after the gender change operation. But my selection into the police force has helped me widen my friends' circle.
Your opinion about the society’s attitude to transgenders?
The society’s attitude towards the transgenders is based on lack of knowledge. Nobody is comfortable having a transgender in his or her family. People see it as an embarrassment and therefore, the third gender is suppressed in their own family. This prompts them to leave their homes and go in search of their clan where they will be accepted as they are. Those who are born males but become females through surgeries still find acceptance in the society. But if it is the other way round, the future is scary. Therefore most such people become an introverts. Most people are not ready to accept the third gender as a biological reality but instead try to exploit the sex.
Regarding the court verdict
The society is not very happy with the inclusion of a third gender in various walks of life since it increases competition. But, the Madras High Court ruling in my case provides a huge boost to one’s belief in the country’s law and order machinery. For transgenders who want to take up regular jobs and be a part of the mainstream society, the Madras High Court’s ruling will be of great help.