Transgenders say it’s tough to adopt kids

By Vindhya Pabolu

Adopting children and getting marriage certificates are tough for transgenders in Karnataka.

According to the Supreme Court Observer, five judges of the apex court unanimously decided to partially strike down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and decriminalized same-sex relations between consenting adults. The court held that this provision violates an LGBTQIA+ person’s rights to life, dignity, and freedom of personal choice under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Amulya, a 36-year-old transgender, informed The Observer: “I tried adopting a child a few years ago at Nimhans. I took all the certificates, but they said I am not eligible to adopt a child and the central government doesn’t have any law to support transgender adoption policies. There are many people in my community who are facing this problem. What is wrong with us adopting a child when we are fi- nancially stable and can provide everything a child needs?”

Sana Suman, another transgender, shared: “Coming from the transgender community, it is difficult for us to adopt someone. If I want to adopt someone, even though I have all the certificates, they say I am not eligible.I don’t have a marriage certificate. The government still doesn’t allow us to have marriage certificates; adoption is connected to that. How are we supposed to adopt if we want to? It is not like we are committing a crime.

According to the Central Adoption Resource Authority, no child shall be given in adoption to a couple unless.” vindhya.p@iijnm.org

Continued on page 4

A Surat district court on Thursday sentenced Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to two years in prison after holding him guilty in a criminal defamation case over a remark on the “Modi” surname in 2019. The case was filed on a complaint lodged by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi. The Print Bhattaraka Swamy, Jain seer, passes away Charukeerthi Bhattaraka

Swamy of the Jain mutt at Shravanabelgola, died on March 23. According to people at the mutt, he fell down during his morning walk on March 23. Mutt staff took him to Adichunchanagiri Hospital, Bellur Cross, where he was declared dead. The Hindu Hindenburg tweets: ‘New report soon’ Hindenburg Research will soon release a new report, the US short seller said in a tweet. The latest tweet by the New Yorkbased research firm didn’t provide any specifics on the timing of the next report’s release, or what it intends to say. Bloomberg UK to review attacks at Indian High Commission

British foreign minister James Cleverly on Wednesday said the country will review security at the Indian High Commission in London following “unacceptable acts of violence” towards the mission’s staff. India summoned the most senior British diplomat in Delhi to protest at the actions taken by separatist and extremist elements against the country mission in London. Reuters FIR filed against 6 cops in infant death case

An FIR was lodged against six policemen and five of them were suspended following the death of an infant who was allegedly crushed under police boots during a raid in Jharkhand’s Giridih district, an official said. The Hindu