Film Critic Urges President To Include Third Gender In National Film Awards

Mumbai: Popular film critic and Assamese director Utpal Datta has written to President Ram Nath Kovind, requesting him to give due recognition to the third gender at the National Film Awards.

According to a PTI report, Datta wants an award category for the third gender at the National Awards to encourage and appreciate the transgender’s work.

“Since the government has recognized the third gender in all government activities, I strongly believe even the National Film Awards should extend their support to encourage this marginalized section of society by including them in its various gender-based award categories,” Datta was quoted as saying.

“I am optimistic that the inclusion of the third gender would enrich these categories,” he added.

The film critic also cited the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court in 2014, which recognized the third gender by giving them equal rights in the field of education, medical, and various professional fronts.

Datta is well known for his work in ‘By Lane 2’, ‘Through Trust and Fear’, ‘Bohubritta’ and ‘Ji Galpar Ses Nai.’

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