Lalit Salve, Constable Who Had Sex-Change Surgery, Is Now A Father

Lalit Salve, who was born Lalita in June 1988, made headlines with his journey from womanhood to manhood. His story takes a heartwarming turn as he embraces fatherhood. Having tied the knot in 2020, Lalit and his wife Seema welcomed their bundle of joy, a baby boy named Aarush, on January 15, 2024. This joyous occasion not only marks a personal victory for Lalit but also challenges stereotypes and preconceptions surrounding gender identity.

Slave spoke to the media and said that his family was "thrilled.". He added, "My journey from being a woman to a man was full of struggles. During this time, I was blessed to have many people who supported me. My wife, Seema, wished to have a child. I am happy that I have become a father now. My family is thrilled."

The Struggle To Become Lalit from Lalita

Salve, a resident of Rajegaon village in Majalgaon tehsil of Beed district, had underdeveloped genitalia at the time of his birth. Since then, he has lived as a woman and was even inducted as a female police constable.

After living three decades as a woman, Lalita started observing changes in her body. In 2014, Lalita underwent a test that revealed the presence of a biological male (Y) chromosome, The Hindu has reported. Subsequently, Lalita submitted an application to the state police department, seeking a month’s leave to undergo a sex-changing operation. However, according to India Today, Lalita's plea was rejected on the ground that the eligibility criteria for male and female constables were different.

Lalita then reportedly approached the Bombay High Court with a plea to direct the Beed DGP to grant the required leave for the operation. The court directed Lalita to the Maharashtra Appellate Tribunal (MAT).  Finally, in 2018, Lalita was given the green light for the surgery by the home department, and the Superintendent of Police in Beed also granted her the required leave.

I have lived the life of a woman and I know what women face when they take bold decisions. My wife has shown immense courage by agreeing to marry me - Lalit Salve

The surgery was conducted in three stages, beginning in May 2018, at the state government-run St. George Hospital. Post-surgery, he acquired a new identity and rejoined as a male police constable at 'Shakti-Pathak’, which is a special team responsible for dealing with cases of eve-teasing and ensuring the safety of women.

 Never Imagined A Woman Will Marry Me: Lalit

On February 16, 2020, Lalit married Seema Bansode, a distant relative, after they mutually agreed to the alliance.  He never imagined a woman would agree to marry him after knowing his story. “I have lived the life of a woman, and I know what women face when they take bold decisions. My wife has shown immense courage by agreeing to marry me,” Lalit told The Hindu.

But Seema had already been following his struggles and had decided to marry him the day she saw Lalit at a function. Reportedly, she even collected newspaper clippings of his struggles.

Appreciating the courage and confidence of Lalit, his 22-year-old bride Seema told the Mumbai Mirror, “He explained the medical procedure he has undergone. I have always admired him for standing up to society to live life on his terms. Our families had no hesitation when we told them of our intention to get married.”

Their union defied societal norms, challenging conventional expectations of marriage and family. The birth of their son on January 15, 2024, further cements the couple's commitment to their unconventional yet deeply fulfilling path.

Key Timeline:

• Beet Police Constable Lalit Kumar Salve lived as Lalita Kumari Salve for three decades.
• Lalita underwent sex-changing surgery in 2018, after which he was inducted as a male constable.
• Lalit has married 22-year-old Seema Bansode, who had been reading about his struggles to have a genital reconstruction procedure.
• Lalit and Seema got married on February 16 and hosted a wedding reception on February 22.
• The birth of their son on January 15, 2024.

Lalit Salve has not only rewritten his story on his terms but has also become a guiding light for those seeking sex reassignment. Reportedly, he has counseled over 30 individuals navigating similar journeys, offering support and insights drawn from his own experiences.