I am glad Indira Jaising mam raised the question. But my only question to Hon'ble Justice Indu Malhotra mam with all due respect is, Why is it that when it comes to us that suddenly it is remembered/mention "merit"? Should not be elevated on 'mere representation' is the quote. 1/

Also just one suggestion to @barandbench and every person, advocate & journalist/org we are transgender persons. Transgender in English is an adjective, not a noun. Which is why transgender persons, trans persons, trans man, trans woman etc. Not just 'transgenders'. 2/

I would not ask anyone from the community to make this shift, but I will definitely ask others, esp who have had historical access to knowledge & resources to make this shift in their vocabulary. 3/

Moving on from the term, representation is a demand or a claim to collective/community/group rights which also seeks to make it clear that 'merit' which is often individualized cannot be divorced from structural privileges & barriers and what has historically been advantaged. 4/

Ofc you all would say merit. I don't have the same 'merit' as my esteemed colleagues/fellow students who have glorious CVs with all amazing internships to brag about or show for. 5/

When I & my trans, intersex, queer siblings & fellow persons are treated & have to survive transphobia, homophobia etc everyday living by thin air as to anyday me or someone else might be on edge or leave our families, surely we wont have 'merit', no? 6/

"Apology to persons from LGBT community and their families" is what you wrote in that judgment, a line which everyone quotes with such love. I did too. I am wondering if you also see how families are the ones who often perpetrate the first violence on us 7/

And what is this assumption that those who hail from dominant caste, class, gender backgrounds or who are from transgender & /or lgbtqia+ communities/identities, esp both don't have 'merit'? 8/

What is this hollow fear/prejudice/assumption underlying such statements that people who are appointed judges through representation or reservation lack 'merit' 10/

Have we heard of this term being so much even used for dominant caste or savarna or brahmin cis het men in the judiciary, especially those who hail from second generation of legal families which dominate every sphere of law so widely and so often? Then why us? 11/

Or is merit only the hold of the brahmin cis het men and anyone who doesn't fall within your definitions are per se somehow 'not meritorious'? 12/

I don't care if you call me attention seeking or drama queen. But it pains me to see this from my legal fraternity, especially from people in High public offices such as Supreme Court Judges and I will point that, even if it comes at a cost. 13/

None of what I say should be construed as me representing my community, my community is as diverse in its opinions. I can't speak for anyone else but me. 14/

When we are literally struggling to survive, many of us cannot possibly take on these battles or positions. Often we just have to pick and choose battles and hope such views change. 15/

Ofcourse trolls who come at me will pick at what was said by me or the Hon'ble Justice with a fine tooth comb and attack me. I don't care.
16/

I have seen slurs being hurled at me every day, even every hour while I walk to/into a campus which brags that it has so many Supreme & High Court Justices, politicians & lawyers as its alumni. So your troll attacks are the least of my concerns. 17/

And I will make sure I write a letter personally or a mail whichever is convenient and write to the Judge and the Supreme Court. And post it here too. 18/

And to those asking for context and in interests of a public discussion, here: 19/ https://www.barandbench.com/news/appointment-to-public-offices-like-that-of-a-judge-not-just-about-representation-it-should-be-based-on-merit-justice-indu-malhotra

Correction to point in tweet 8- "persons who are not from dominant caste class, gender backgrounds". Sorry was typing in tiredness and exasperation. But I hope the intention is understood. 20/