Safed Helmer Sandeep Singh With Transgenders Take Stand Against Punjab, Haryana Judges' Insensitive Behaviour

In acceptance is peace. While the conformist public is creating space and opening their arms for the LGBTQ+ community, back home the attitude of a Punjab and Haryana Court judge , Pankaj Jain, throwing and outright dismissing the case file of a lesbian fighting for justice for her adult partner forced under house arrest by her family members, has left people shocked and disturbed.

Filmmaker Sandeep Singh' expressed his disappointment saying, "On knowing what happened in Chandigarh court, I am disheartened. A judge makes a personal remark that is uncalled for. As citizens of India we should respect the Indian judiciary as all are equal in the eyes of the law."

Singh added, "We are living in the 21st century, we shoukd not only be apart of our country's growth but also be a part of a growth where our mentality and outlook is concerned."

Abhay Verma, who essayed transgender Chaandi in Safed, said, "A country wins when people living in it feel they're heard. Who are we to decide what's moral and immoral and judge a person's morality? It's high time we change our attitude and let people be, and made felt that they matter."

Actress Meera Chopra, who won critical acclaim for her performance of a widow in Safed, said, "Pankaj Jain has behaved extremely reckless in handling such a sensitive subject. These kind of people are the main reason we are struggling to have a progressive humane society - where people can live with equality and love. It's a crazy coincidence that it's on this same day we have released documentary on Safed, where morality and legitimacy is what we are demanding and this judge calls them immoral. Can we do something about this is my question to everybody who has a voice."

Radha of Safed, Barkha Bisht, said that the incident had her feel upset. "Honestly, we need to grow up and cultivate to look beyond our limited perspective and mentality. What happened in the Chandigarh court is sad and discouraging. I hope such incident never happens ever again. Every human has a right to dignity and needs to be treated with respect Immaterial of anything."

Voicing their concern over the judge's audacious behaviour, transgender Salma said, "Don't people who are into same sex relationship have the right to live just like normal couples do? This I want to ask the Punjab and Haryana chief judge Pankaj Jain. On what basis did you dismiss the case? I want strict action to be taken against Jain and request the official authorities to do so. If no action is taken against him, we will be compelled to take a hard stand and protest against the authorities."

Transgender Jeeshani said that judge Pankaj Jain who holds such a high post in the Indian judiciary system, "could be so petty in his thinking and that's appalling.."

Jannat, a transgender, said concluding, "The Indian judiciary system has given legal rights to all class of people including us, how then can a judge humiliate a lawful citizen in court? Would he have behaved in a similar fashion were it to involve his own family member? What if his own family member were a transgender and in a relationship, would he still label it immoral? Why not live and let live."