ISSUE
Whether Anna University should be directed to change Gowtham’s name and gender in his educational certificates?
KEY FACTS
Gowtham was assigned female at birth. His educational certificates reflected the name and gender as assigned at birth. After graduating from Anna University in Tamil Nadu, Gowtham underwent sex-reassignment surgery.
Consequently, he changed his identity in identity documents. He then approached Anna University to have his name and gender changed on his educational certificates.
The University did not act on his application. Thus, Gowtham approached the High Court of Madras for redressal.
DECISION & REASONING
The court relied on Gowtham’s Aadhaar card and medical certificates to recognise the changes made to name and gender in his documents. Further, it held that these documents were adequate evidence for the University. The University could not wait until Gowtham received an identity card under a law that Parliament had not yet passed.
Thus, the court directed the University to act on Gowtham’s request for issuing new educational certificates.
SIGNIFICANCE
The court upheld Gowtham’s right to change documents to reflect his gender and name change. It reproached the University for harassing Gowtham by not acting on his request.