INTERVIEW

What did I do wrong in correcting a medical problem?

52-Sabi-Giri-before Metamorphosis: Sabi Giri before (left) and after surgery | Kishor Krishnamurthy

Interview/ Sabi Giri

When Manish Kumar Giri, 25, got his gender reassigned in a private facility last year, the Navy found itself facing an unprecedented situation. In the military, even changing one's physical appearance (like growing or removing a moustache) requires the commanding officer's permission. And here was a sailor who had changed not just appearance, but gender. Now what does one do with a woman sailor? There is no such cadre; women in the services are only at the officer ranks. The Army has just announced that it will take the first batch of women sepoys in the Corps of Military Police shortly, but even this hasn't reached recruitment stage. The Navy does not have any billet for a female sailor.

There was no choice. On October 6, Giri was dismissed from service, evoking the clause of ‘Service No Longer Required’. In a press statement, the Navy said, Giri had breached the recruitment regulations and eligibility criteria for employment as a sailor. “The existing service rules and regulations do not permit the sailor's continued employment due to his altered gender status, medical conditions and employment restrictions,” the Navy said.

Sabi Giri, as she now calls herself, has challenged the dismissal legally. On December 6, the Navy offered Giri a job as a data entry operator in a private company which works for the government. However, Giri was dissatisfied. “I served the Navy for seven years as a government employee and now they’re giving me a job in the private sector. And I’ll be paid only half of what I was getting in the Navy. The next hearing of the court is on January 14. I’m hopeful of getting justice.”

When she decided to go under the knife last year, Giri knew there would be big battles ahead. She is facing ridicule, financial crisis and a legal battle which may not end in her favour. Excerpts from an exclusive interview:

You want to challenge your dismissal. Is your case strong?

What wrong did I do? I was diagnosed with a condition. It is called gender identity disorder. Shouldn't one correct a medical problem?

You did not take permission.

I discussed the problem with many naval doctors. Since 2012, I have gone to doctors at various bases where I was posted—Mumbai and Vizag. Some said counselling would help. Some said they understood my problem but military rules did not allow gender change operations. Some were very nice to me, but they were unable to help. So, I went to a civilian facility. Do you think if I had told my commanding officer I was taking leave for this, I would have been given permission?

Also, there is no billet for a female sailor.

This is unfair. They have women officers, why can't they have sailors? Did they have any complaints with my work, either on ship or in the base? I was given administrative work since my discharge from the naval hospital; I worked well. Why can't they find work for me?

Did you actually think the Navy would continue to have you as Sabi?

Yes. I thought I could be accommodated.

When did you realise you had this condition?

I was around 17 when I cleared the exam for the Navy. After my training at INS Shivaji, Lonavla, I was posted to Mumbai. Then, I began getting disturbing thoughts. I wondered why I didn't have a vagina and breasts. I was scared. I did not get sleep. I didn't dare discuss this with anyone. I was lonely. Then, on Facebook, I came across a person who had a gender reassignment done. I realised there were people like me. I understood all about the LGBT community. Later, I met some bar dancers. I befriended them and visited their homes after work. There I felt comfortable, and I realised I needed to become a woman.

How has your family taken these developments?

Initially, they were appalled. I am the eldest of three sons, my father has a small business in Chhapra district, Bihar. Relatives told my parents to get me married and I would be cured. I had no idea what was happening. I was home on leave and within seven days, they found a girl and fixed the marriage. I wanted to run away but I couldn't. Even if I recall those days, my eyes fill up with tears. It was so horrible. So yes, I have a wife. I told her what my problem was and we have never lived together. I was honest with her and I would not want her to be touched by all this publicity.

What drew you to the Navy?

The smart white uniform. I had relatives in the Army and Air Force, but I had heard the naval uniform was the smartest, all white. I enjoyed my naval career. It was a tough life and there was a lot of sailing. I have sailed to Sri Lanka, Somalia, places I never knew I would go to.

Your journey to Sabi must have been difficult.

A gender reassignment process is not simple. You need a lot of courage to go through it. There are so many tests. Psychiatric counselling, endocrine tests, the actual operations. I have only had stage I gender reassignation, there are more surgeries pending. It is expensive. I have spent 90 per cent of my savings.

When I returned from my surgery, I developed an infection and on November 7, 2016, I was admitted to INHS Kalyani, Visakhapatnam. I had two surgeries there, and was in intensive care for 22 days. I was in the surgical ward for another month, after which I was sent to the psychiatric ward for five months.

I am usually brave, but now, with the dismissal, I am feeling very low. I recently saw comments on a news item about me. It was from people in Pakistan, making fun of Indian Navy. That hurt me. I am going to a counsellor, but right now I am very low, very lonely and very disturbed.

Will I get another job? I have no savings left. Sometimes I think the only career for people like me is sex work.

You are studying, too, aren't you?

Yes, I am doing my graduation from IGNOU. But, of late I haven't been able to concentrate on studies. I also want to study law later. Maybe work for people like me.

Indian transgenders who broke through

Kamala Jaan - Mayor of Katni, Madhya Pradesh. Elected in 1998. Removed in 2003 because the seat was reserved for women.

Kamala Kinnar - Mayor of Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. Elected in 2009. Election annulled in 2011 as the seat was reserved for scheduled caste women.

Madhu Kinnar - Mayor of Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. Elected in 2015.

Mona Vernonica – Model

Shanavi Ponnusamy - Engineer who was denied air hostess job in Air India. Supreme court has issued a notice to the civil aviation ministry and Air India.

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