SC recognises transgenders, tells Centre to fix job quota
Court declares them as ‘third gender’ 
Activists hail verdict
New Delhi, April 15
The Supreme Court on Tuesday recognised the transgender community as a third gender and directed the government to treat ‘hijras’ and eunuchs as socially backward and offer them employment and educational quota.

Asia Pacific Transgender Network founding member, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi (L) along with another member in New Delhi.

Editorial Page: Third sex

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Varun, Priyanka slug it out over family legacy
Amethi/Sultanpur, April 15
The Gandhi versus Gandhi war of words is getting shrill in Uttar Pradesh like never before. Countering cousin Priyanka’s brother-gone-astray remark, BJP Sultanpur candidate Varun Gandhi said his “inherent decency and large-heartedness should not be construed as weakness by anyone”.

Cong fumes as Swamy calls Priyanka an alcoholic
New Delhi, April 15
Scores of Congress workers staged a violent protest outside BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's residence in Nizamuddin area of South Delhi demanding an "unconditional apology" for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Priyanka Gandhi and top party leaders.

Sonia to take centrestage as Cong goes for jugular
New Delhi, April 15
With opinion polls writing off the Congress, party president Sonia Gandhi is all set to take centre stage in the election canvassing of the candidates. The beginning was made yesterday with Sonia going public with her first-ever televised appeal to the voters asking them to reject the BJP and its PM nominee Narendra Modi’s ‘divisive’ and ‘autocratic ideology’ which she said would ruin “Bharatiyata”.

Pak keen to boost trade between two Punjabs
New Delhi, April 15
Pakistan today expressed its keenness to promote trade between the two Punjabs in the larger interest of consolidating economic links with India. “There are 3-4 (Punjab-specific) projects which are under consideration, including the import of gas and electricity,” Pakistan’s new High Commissioner Abdul Basit told The Tribune on the sidelines of a function at the Jamia Millia Islamia here.

hansi-butana row
SC accepts Haryana’s plea for early adjudication
New Delhi, April 15
The Supreme Court today accepted Haryana’s plea for an early hearing of its application for vacating the 2007 SC order, restraining the state from using the 109-km Hansi-Butana canal for meeting the drinking water and irrigation needs of drought-prone areas in the south-western region of the state. A Bench comprising Justices CK Prasad and PC Ghose posted Haryana’s application for detailed hearing on April 24.