Reshma Prasad

Reshma Prasad
OccupationTransgender activist
Known forFounder of Dostana Safar, first transgender university senator in India

Reshma Prasad is a transgender activist based in Bihar, India. She founded Dostana Safar, a community organisation that supports transgender people in Bihar.

Activism

In 2018 Prasad submitted a petition to the Supreme Court, requesting a third gender be included on PAN cards, allowing transgender people to be accurately represented on their ID.[1] In 2024 The Centre supported the move and advised the Supreme Court to support the petition.[1][2]

Prasad has previously organised the Patna Pride March.[3][4][5] She is a member of the National Council for Transgender Community, which was founded in 2020.[5]

Prasad founded Dostana Safar, community organisation that supports the Hijra community in Bihar.[6] In June 2023 the organisation opened a restaurant in Patna, staffed entirely with members of the transgender community.[7][3][8]

Prasad was vocal about issues with the 2022 Bihar Caste-Based Survey, run by the Bihar government, calling the data "fake".[9] Initially concerns were raised after transgender people were considered a separate caste, which cased the Patna High Court to order the survey paused, until final orders were decided upon.[10] Prasad argued that that transgender people should not be put in a caste, as it compromises their individual identity.[11] As their transgender identity was related to their gender, Prasad wondering if male or female could also be considered castes.[12][13] The Patna High Court later ruled that transgender people should be identified as a separate group, rather than as a caste.[14]

When the results of the survey were released, concerns were raised about the numbers. A previous census in 2011 found over 42,000 members of the transgender community living in Bihar, but the 2023 census only counted 825. Prasad claimed she had never been counted in the survey.[7]

In December 2023, Prasad became a member of the senate for Patna University following a nomination from Rajendra Arlekar. She became the first transgender person in India to hold a role in university senate.[15][3] As a senator Prasad said she aimed to ensure the transgender community would not face harassment or issues with their admissions.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 Sharma, Jhanak (2026-06-22). "Identity certificate of transgenders valid document for PAN card application, Centre tells SC". Lawstreet.co. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  2. ↑ PTI (2024-08-29). "Transgender identity certificate will be treated as valid documentation for PAN: Centre to Supreme Court". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2024-09-06. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Service, Express News (2023-12-10). "A Matter of Pride". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2026-02-15. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  4. ↑ "'Fear and shame holding LGBT community back'". The Times of India. 2019-06-23. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  5. 1 2 PTI (2023-07-09). "Bihar Pride Parade: Transgender community seek pension". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  6. ↑ "Dostana Safar | Commutiny - The Youth Collective". commutiny.in. Archived from the original on 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  7. 1 2 www.ETEducation.com. "Bihar Guv nominates transgender Reshma Prasad as Patna University senate member". ETEducation.com. Archived from the original on 2026-01-25. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  8. ↑ Service, Statesman News (2023-07-01). "First transgender restaurant 'Satrangi dostana Restro' opens in Patna". The Statesman. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  9. ↑ "Caste survey: Population of many castes in Bihar not even 500". The Times of India. 2023-10-03. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  10. ↑ "Transgender rights activist hails Patna HC order staying Bihar govt's caste survey". 4 May 2023.
  11. ↑ Tewary, Amarnath (2023-04-07). "In Bihar census, caste code for 'third gender' community triggers row". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  12. ↑ Murari, Krishan (2023-04-18). "'Discriminatory': Activist questions inclusion of 'transgender' as category in Bihar caste census, moves HC". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  13. ↑ "'No object found, violates privacy': Why Patna HC stayed Bihar's caste-based survey". The Leaflet. 2023-05-06. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  14. ↑ "Transgenders not a caste, but a separate group: Patna HC". The Times of India. 2023-08-22. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  15. ↑ "Historic appointment: Transgender Reshma Prasad becomes first Senate Member in a university". The Avenue Mail. 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
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