CISF constable gets recognition as man 6 years after sex change

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has officially recognised as male a woman constable who underwent surgery to change her sex to beat laws that don’t allow gay marriages in India.

The 30-year-old woman underwent the operation six year ago and married a woman colleague even as she faced her colleagues’ taunts and struggled to persuade her superiors to treat her as a man. HT is not revealing her identity to protect her privacy.

Three medical boards of CISF, Central Reserve Police Force and All India Institute of Medical Sciences cleared the 30-year as a male officer after fitness tests conducted in February this year.

But all this did not come easy for 29-year-old Vikas (name changed), who had to undergo several physical tests and convince three different medical boards that he is a ‘male’.

The constable had joined the force in 2008 as a 21-yearold woman.

“Since my childhood I always treated myself as a boy and had decided not to marry ever because in that case I would have to marry a man. But I got selected in CISF and decided that I will never go back to my hometown as people will force me to marriage,” said Vikas.

“Here also, initially I was posted into frisking duty of female passengers in Delhi metro. I was hesitant and told my seniors I should not be doing this as I consider myself a male. My women colleague in the barrack also complained against me saying I should not stay with them,” he added.

Though his wife never asked for sex change, he finally decided to go for it as same sex marriage is not allowed in India.

“In May 2012, my operation was completed and I applied in the force for gender change. Though no decision was made, I got married in 2013. Some colleague teased me and call me with my earlier name but I ignored them,” he added.

However, the journey to prove himself as male has been tough as the constable had to physically prove through running and other physical exercises that he is fit enough to be declared as ‘male’.

“We have intimated ministry for home affairs after medical boards set up by us declared the constable a male. The issue was pending for four years but we have taken a decision now. In our record, he is now a male constable,” OP Singh, CISF DG said.

Paramilitary forces have different recruitment rules for male and female.

“It was a unique case but we have taken a stand. It was important for us to ensure that he has all the criteria required for a male constable. Since, he has proved it during physical fitness exam, the medical board has cleared him as ‘male’ constable,” said a CISF official.

SHE UNDERWENT THE OPERATION SIX YEARS AGO AND MARRIED A WOMAN COLLEAGUE EVEN AS SHE FACED HER COLLEAGUES’ TAUNTS