On November 20, the K C Law College in Mumbai observed International Transgender Day of Remembrance to draw attention to the continued violence against the transgender community.
The college’s bold approach against transgender hate crimes is indebted to their first-ever transgender student Nikita Bandre, 26, who is committed to bringing normalcy in the life of the community.
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“I am working toward the day when gender education for children will also include transgender due to which no TG person will ever be bullied, teased or require special rights to be treated as equal,” said Nikita who has become instrumental in making Maharashtra government mull over a policy toward making higher education accessible for people from her community.
Earlier this month, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil declared free-of-cost education for transgender people in higher education institutions. He also announced that the department is on the path of formulating a policy to encourage higher education among transgender people.
Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil (right) declared free-of-cost education for transgender people in higher education institutions.
The landmark move was triggered by Nikita who knocked on the state’s doors in September when she was not getting admission to any college to pursue law, even after clearing the Common Entrance Test (CET).
“This was my second successful attempt at Law CET. But even as the centralised admission process was nearing the end, I was not allotted any college. With great frustration, I went to Mantralaya to meet Patil sir. He and his staff patiently heard me and expressed that they never knew of such issues until then. Apart from helping me in admission, the minister promised that his department will ensure smooth admission process for transgender community in the higher education sector, I am glad to see that his words have led to action,” said a beaming Nikita who is thankful to her teacher from the community – Vishu Guru, for standing by her throughout this journey.
Nikita said that she could have easily given up her dream of pursuing law, after not getting admission in 2022, her first attempt at Law CET.
“After all, I was already a graduate. But my Guru gave me the courage and support to not lose hope. She also accompanied me to meet the minister as well as to meet Kavita Lalchandani, principal of K C Law College on my day of admission,” said the transwoman who lived as Nikhil, until graduation in Bachelor of Banking and Insurance (BBI) from Sydenham College in Mumbai.
Nikita who was always aware of her identity never really came out, fearing social stigma. However, after her mother’s death during the final year of graduation, Nikita started working. “With the financial independence from my job, I gained the courage to come out,” said Nikita, who declared her gender identity in 2018 after graduation, gave up her original name and started wearing girl’s clothes.
Nikita (right) with Principal of K C Law College, Dr. Kavita Lalchandani (left)
Nikita worked in an event management company after graduation. “There was no bullying or teasing at work. But people were visibly uncomfortable around me. They would change their route if I was walking past them. They would hesitate to stand near me. Eventually, I quit during Covid-19,” shared Nikita.
She then participated in a modelling contest in transgender category to challenge the unwelcoming nature of society she faced in her initial years. She won the title and continued modelling for a year or so before she decided to pursue a law degree with an aim of helping her fellow mates from her community.
Her brother, who is a fitness trainer, is also in full support of Nikita. The siblings stay along with their bed-ridden father at their house in Mumbai’s Colaba.
Nikita is happy to share the warmth she has received from K C Law College where she is being treated like any other classmate and people are genuinely making friends with her.
She is elated when the watchman at her college greets her with a “Good-morning ma’am” like all other women students or staff, without the slightest tinge of sarcasm. “This is the normalcy I was dreaming about,” said Nikita.
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