(This opinion piece has been reposted from The Quint’s archives in light of the Delhi High Court hearing the case of sailor Sabi Giri, who was sacked by the Indian Navy for undergoing a sex change surgery. On 31 October, the Delhi HC asked the Navy to consider giving an alternate job to the sailor, and posted the matter for further hearing on 23 November. This is the View. You may like to read the Counterview by Alok Prasanna here.)
The unusual case of an Indian naval sailor undergoing a sex change operation, and now likely to be discharged from service, has elicited considerable attention on social media and other public platforms. It is understood that the individual, MK Giri (aka Sabi), who is serving in a unit of the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, may seek legal recourse to continue in the navy.
Prima facie, covert change of gender identity in the military would be deemed to be not only a breach of contract, where the individual has joined as ‘an Indian male’ – but also of extreme indiscipline. Military rules are strict about every aspect of personal identity, appearance and conduct – and for valid reason.
For instance, in the navy – even to grow a beard, a facial characteristic often associated with sailors across the world – formal permission has to be sought in writing.