Kerala Launches State’s First Transgender Students’ Hostel at MG University

Kottayam, August 28, 2025: Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala’s Kottayam district has opened the state’s first hostel exclusively for transgender students, marking a significant step towards inclusive higher education.

A new hostel on the university campus, designed to accommodate at least six students, aims to support transgender individuals in pursuing higher education without facing discrimination or housing difficulties, university officials said. Official representatives expressed hope that the facility would foster greater inclusion for transgender students.

“There has been a significant increase in the number of transgender students qualifying for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in the state,” said State Social Justice Minister R. Bindhu. “In this context, I appreciate the initiative taken by MG University to establish this hostel. The marginalized community has long faced various challenges, and it is essential that we provide social support for them.”

Minister Bindhu also highlighted the ongoing struggles transgender individuals often encounter, including rejection from their families, stressing the importance of societal acceptance and dignity.

One transgender student at the university described the hostel as a “boon,” noting that finding suitable accommodation is one of the biggest challenges faced, especially with rising rents. “Having a safe space on campus is truly encouraging,” the student said.

The opening of this hostel represents a milestone in Kerala’s pursuit of gender justice and equality, offering a model that other universities across the country may follow.

Courtesy: Mathrubhumi.com

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