It's justice for Dr Beoncy: Transwoman doc wins court battle for identity recognition
2
Imphal: In a landmark judgment delivered on Tuesday, the Manipur high court allowed the change of name and gender in the academic records of the transwoman Dr Beoncy Laishram, following a petition filed by her.
The court directed the authorities concerned to issue fresh education certificates reflecting the petitioner's new name and gender — 'Beoncy Laishram' and 'female' — within one month.
She is not just Manipur's first and only transwoman doctor, she is also northeast's first transgender doctor. Dr Beoncy had approached the HC after her Feb 2024 request to update her name and gender on academic and official documents was denied by the authorities.
Her birth name was 'Boboi Laishram' and gender listed as 'male'.
Dr Beoncy, a biological male before undergoing gender reassignment surgery in Oct, 2019, had applied to the district magistrate of Imphal West for a transgender certificate. The DM issued both the certificate and a transgender identity card under her new name and gender. Her Aadhaar, Voter ID, and PAN card were subsequently updated to reflect the changes.
Despite these updates, her requests to the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM), Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM), Manipur University (MU), and Manipur Medical Council to amend her academic records were not accepted.
Senior counsel Jayna Kothari, representing Dr Beoncy, cited Sections 5, 6, and 7 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 – the provisions which empower transgender people to apply for identity certificates and mandate that revised gender and name be reflected in all official documents, including birth and educational certificates.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court ordered BOSEM, COHSEM, MU, and the Manipur Medical Council to issue updated certificates under Dr Beoncy's new identity.
The court further directed that the provisions of Sections 6 and 7 of the Act shall be incorporated into all existing laws, rules, and regulations of establishments within Manipur, as defined under Section 2(b) of the Act. The chief secretary of Manipur was instructed to issue necessary directives to all the establishments in this regard.
Until formal incorporation is completed, these provisions shall be deemed to be read into all existing frameworks under Section 20 of the Act, the court ruled.
Speaking to TOI, petitioner Dr Beoncy expressed immense joy over the HC's judgment. "It is a relief. I have been thinking of completing PG as well to advance my career and specialising in surgery or gynaecology someday. But I was scared I'd be made to stay in a boys' hostel just because my academic records say I'm a male, even though I've undergone reassignment surgery. The judgment has given me reassurance and done me justice," she said.
She also hoped the judgment would raise awareness about the rights of transgender people, who often face marginalisation and systemic barriers.
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