Queer Activist Rituparna Fights For Gender Justice In Northeast India

Rituparna (they/them) is a leading queer rights activist from Assam, poet, storyteller and development sector worker. They have been working in the development sector focusing on gender justice and education in northeast India. In an interview with SheThePeople, Rituparna talks about her change-making work in northeast India, how she brings change through her leadership role as a member of the National Council, and why gender-neutral educational spaces can pave the way for future transformation. 

Excerpts from the interview

Could you share your vision and goals for this role/appointment, specifically addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in Northeastern India?

I see goals of bringing the concerns of transgender community of the northeast region as not just a homogenous issue but with a view of multi-ethnic, diverse linguistic, geopolitics, the ethnic diversity of the northeast, and unique issues of my community. I look forward to contributing to the policy formation where enough voice from the northeast gets its place.

As a member of the National Council, what initiatives do you plan to spearhead to address the discrimination and challenges faced by the trans and queer community in the country?

As a member, I would specifically like to address the issue of exclusion of my community in education, healthcare, and employment. It will be crucial for the government to formulate policy and implement the same with effectiveness for the inclusion of my community in education, healthcare services, and employment generation.

Your nomination comes at a crucial time when discussions about LGBTQIA+ inclusion are ongoing, given the marriage equality verdict. What role do you see the National Council playing in advancing the rights and well-being of the community, and how do you plan to contribute to these efforts?

Our community needs the choice to get married or not, legally. In a welfare state, no citizen is deprived of equal rights. (PS: I am not elaborately commenting on this question)

You highlight the need for systemic change in your petition for gender-neutral educational spaces. How do you envision your position in the National Council facilitating or influencing policies that promote inclusivity and equal opportunities in educational institutions?

- In my petition, I am targeting Assam as a geographical location, however, I had always planned to take this further to my entire country. As part of the National Council, I will definitely urge UGC for policy change and bring a direction to the higher education institute in our country for bringing gender-neutral washrooms which is a need of the hour towards a more gender-inclusive society.

Your digital activism has been impactful, especially through the "She Creates Change" program with Nguvu Collective. How do you plan to leverage your online presence and skills to create awareness and advocate for the rights of the transgender and queer community in your new role?

In our time digital presence is important which helps us to reach more and more people. Though we are aware of the digital divide digital platforms give us a wider range of audiences to reach. I have been actively engaging myself in the narrative building for the issues of my community on digital platforms, and I am hopeful that with more days it's helping all of us.

Considering your background as a prominent queer rights activist, how do you hope your appointment to the National Council will contribute to broader conversations about LGBTQIA+ rights and acceptance in India, and what message would you like to send to the community you represent in the Northeast region?

The National Council for Transgender Persons will be an effective body for our community given the interest of the government in concern. Where the council plays the advisory role to the government, real change will come with effective policy formulation and implementation of the same.

Given the systemic shift in the rights given to the LGBTQIA+ community and the several rights they're still deprived of by the justice system, what in your opinion is the way forward to bring change at the topmost level first? For example, in terms of marriage equality laws.