Sex change may have ‘bad impact’ on force: ITBP rejects trooper’s plea

The Indo-Tibetian Border Police (ITBP) has directed its field units not to entertain pleas of troopers seeking permission to undergo sex change procedures, citing the Central Armed Police Force's (CAPF) medical wing's opinion that this may have a "bad impact" on the psychology of the personnel.

Official sources told PTI that an order was issued by the force headquarters two days ago after a female personnel sought permission to undergo such a procedure.

Taking a "considerate" cognisance of the plea, the ITBP sought the opinion of the ministry of home affairs (MHA), as there are no guidelines about gender change in the central service conduct rules or the ITBP Act, the sources said.

The MHA responded to the ITBP that it had analysed the issue jointly with the department of personnel and training (DoPT).

As there was no policy direction on gender change, the force was directed to seek an opinion from the medical directorate of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and subsequently take a policy decision, according to the sources.

The medical establishment of the CAPFs wrote to the ITBP stating the "general opinion is that gender change cannot be entertained/permitted in the force as it will have bad impact on the psychology and behaviour pattern of force personnel", they said.

"Further, the required physical parameters are different for males and females for enrolment in the force. Therefore, these parameters will not be met after sex change," the medical wing opined.

Hence, it concluded, that sex change is "not recommended" in this case.

Quoting these proceedings, the ITBP has written to all its field formations that future cases of gender change should be resolved using this opinion.

Officials in the security establishment said the issues require more discussion, but at present, CAPFs such as the ITBP are not prepared to accommodate such requests.

The recruitment rules stipulate the required physical and mental eligibility for male and female personnel. These have been prepared keeping in mind the current duty mandate and challenges, a senior CAPF officer said.

Allowing a change in physical attributes post hiring of personnel will require intense brainstorming and framing of a new policy, another CAPF officer said.

A few years ago, the CISF had allowed a female jawan to be recognised as a male after he underwent a sex change surgery.