Asem Bhakta, Special Correspondent North East
Imphal: (Waari Singbul Network) Dr. Beoncy Laishram, a 32-year-old transwoman from Imphal, has gained prominence for becoming the first medical doctor among the transgender community in the entire northeast region in 2018. Despite this significant achievement, Dr. Beoncy faces challenges as her request for reissued educational certificates reflecting her current name and gender identity as “female” has been denied by the relevant authorities.
Dr. Beoncy, residing in the Kakwa area of Imphal West district, has filed a writ petition with the Manipur High Court. On June 13, the case was taken up by Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh, who issued notices to the respondents to provide their replies. The next hearing is scheduled for July 17.
According to the petition, Dr. Beoncy was born biologically male and named “Boboi Laishram,” a name reflected in her X and XII standard, MBBS, and other educational certificates. She underwent gender reassignment surgery on October 8, 2019, and legally changed her name to “Beoncy Laishram” and her gender to “female” on her Aadhaar card. She also obtained a “trans ID card” from the district magistrate (Imphal West) on February 16, 2022, and a voter ID card on March 4, 2023, reflecting her new status.
While Dr. Beoncy’s identity is recognized as female in all government and legal records, her educational certificates still display her former name “Boboi Laishram” and her gender as male. In February, she requested new certificates from the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM), Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM), and Manipur University (MU), but her requests were denied.
Dr. Beoncy contends that the inconsistency in her educational certificates causes significant hardship in pursuing further education and employment. She has petitioned the court to direct the relevant authorities to issue new certificates reflecting her current name and gender.
Additionally, Dr. Beoncy has requested that the directors of the Department of University and Higher Education and the School Education Department issue a circular affirming the rights of transgender individuals to change their name and gender on educational certificates, in line with Supreme Court directives, without requiring them to resort to legal action.
Santa Khurai, an iconic trans activist and secretary of the All Manipur Nupi Manbi Association (AMANA), stated that Dr. Beoncy approached the Court after consulting with the association.
