The university has already accepted the proposal which will be forwarded to the executive committee for a nod, reports The Times of India
After a recommendation from the West Bengal Transgender Board, the state government in 2016 asked all colleges and universities to install toilets for transgender people on their campuses. Only one college in North 24 Parganas constructed a toilet for transgenders, according to a source at the state education secretariat.
A Jadavpur University official said several students identify themselves as members of the ‘third-gender’ community. Those who want to use the transgender toilet should be given an option to do so, the official said.
Ranjita Sinha, member of the national and state transgender board and the Association of the Transgender Hijra of Bengal, said the plight of ‘third-gender’ students on campus is a big issue.
Sinha noted that students do not feel safe to disclose their identities. “Many are left frustrated and feel stigmatised,” Sinha said. “It’s an ongoing struggle … Introducing a transgender toilet in JU will be a step forward for the community.”
Debraj Debnath, general secretary of the arts faculty students’ union, said there are between 30 and 50 transgender students.
“We’ve requested the authorities to keep the toilet open for everyone and there shouldn’t be any mention about any particular gender availing the facilities,” he said.