Kerala's first transwoman lawyer writes to Law Minister alleging discrimination, transphobia by senior lawyers

Padma Lakshmi, Kerala's first transgender woman lawyer has filed a complaint with Law Minister P Rajeev and the Judicial Registrar of the Kerala High Court, citing discrimination and verbal abuse from senior lawyers including a government pleader..In her complaint, Lakshmi said that she was facing transphobic slurs and gender-based isolation within the legal community, She also highlighted instances of verbal abuse from senior lawyers.“During my budding period, I also had a senior lawyer who said that ‘you all standing in a uniform inside the court is a scam of LDF's power. The problems are quite complex,” Lakshmi said in her complaint..She also mentioned that a government pleader created a defamatory social media post after she started her own office.“Their accusation against me is that I have no 'guruthwam.' Such a low-quality presentation was made on Facebook, which is a public platform. As soon as I made this complaint public, they withdrew the allegation and blocked me on social media,” said Lakshmi. .Lakshmi disclosed that she started her own office after another derogatory comment about transgender individuals.“Are they trying to say that if I start MY own office, I won't have 'gurutwam'? I'm sorry I don't know. I started my office as a reply to the lawyer who said that sex work is the right job for transgender people,” said Lakshmi in her complaint..Reflecting on another incident of gender abuse by a government pleader, Lakshmi expressed frustration over the prospect of being denied the right to earn a livelihood or live freely as a trans woman.“On ... having a matter listed in Court Hon’ble judge Nagaresh sir and for the same when asked, 'Will the case be called or not?' What I heard in reply is not expected from a person holding such a responsible position – The reply was- ‘Isn't it the case of 9?' I came out of the courtroom very heartbroken and spoke to Government Pleader Madam about how she behaved in uniform in the courtroom,” recalled Lakshmi..Lakshmi added that she just wants to live peacefully, work with her cases and files, and seek justice for the poor.Lakshmi further emphasised that she filed the complaint all the while fearing isolation from the legal profession since the government pleaders she faced discrimination from, have strong political backing.