The officials of the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) reported the Union home ministry that they will recruit transgender persons to the officer cadre post of assistant commandants. It is a major move towards inclusion of the members of the transgender community into mainstream workforce.
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The CRPF communication refers to the April 15, 2014 judgment of the Supreme Court declaring transgender people as the Third Gender. Following this, Parliament passed The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act in 2019.
The CRPF is the second force, among the five asked for their views, which has given a positive response to MHA’s question. Earlier, the BSF said that it is ready to make necessary changes in the force for helping transgender people to join the force at Assistant Commandant-level.
Sources said these recruitment would be made in the general cadre, meaning they would get to operate in combat roles and will eventually rise to command formations at the border and in law and order duties.
As of 12 April 2019, 19 countries allow transgender military personnel to serve openly: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Cuba and Thailand reportedly allowed transgender service in a limited capacity. In 1974, the Netherlands was the first country to allow transgender military personnel.
