Till last month, Joyita Mondal Mahi was a member of the transgender community working for the welfare of her marginalised community. On July 8, everything changed for the 29-year-old when she took office as Bengal’s first transgender judge of a Lok Adalat.
On her first day as judge at Islampur in the North 24 Parganas, Joyita, who was earlier known as Joyonto, heard a few cases involving loan recoveries.
“In most of the cases I suggested negotiation which the litigants found acceptable. In one specific case I ordered the bank authorities to confiscate a mortgaged property and recover the loan because the borrower simply refused to sit for talks, ” said Mondal.
Records can’t say for sure whether she is the first transgender person to be appointed judge of a Lok Adalat in the country.
“Law says that Lok Adalats can have social workers with established credibility as judges. I was appointed because I am a social worker and not because I am a transgender person. I cross checked with several national associations and NGO but none say for sure whether any transgender person had earlier been appointed as a Lok Adalat judge,” said Mondal.
In 2015, Mondal joined projects that involved setting up of an old- age home for HIV- positive people and formation of patient’s welfare committees. “My performance drew the attention of the district administration and I was recommended for this appointment,” said Mondal.
“When I came to Islampur around nine years ago my job was restricted to working for the rights and development of the transgender and LGBT community. But as I slowly progressed and got in touch with several district administration officials, I felt the urge to work for all people and not just a community,” she said.
She said her new assignment will not hamper her regular social work since Lok Adalats are convened once or twice a month. “... But association, responsibility and honour are more important than the money,” she said.
Ranjita Sinha, member of he West Bengal Transgender Development Board said Joyita achieved this feat without any recommendation from either the board or any association representing the third gender.
