Meet Anitta Binoy, The Youngest & First Transgender Postgraduate In Islamic History From Maharaja’s
Kochi: History was made at Maharaja’s College when Aneeta Binoy walked across the stage to receive her master’s degree, becoming the institution’s first transgender graduate in Islamic History.
Affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University, the college has, in recent years, reserved special seats for transgender students, opening doors for many.
Yet, most who reportedly enrolled were forced to drop out midway due to poverty, isolation, health issues, or lack of support. Aneeta, however, persevered through all odds and completed her studies, marking a moment of pride not only for herself but for the university and the transgender community
“These are very proud moments for me. I am the first transgender student to graduate from M.G. University. It is a testament to myself that I never gave up, even though I had to drop out many times. Being able to be a small guide for many people around me is a big deal for me,” she told Mathrubhumi News.
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Born into an ordinary family in Kattappana, Idukki, she recalls being aware of her true identity from a young age. “I knew from my childhood that there was a woman in me. But I had many confusions, whether it was true or just my feelings. So I didn’t know who to tell or what to do,” she shared. After years of struggle and self-discovery, Aneeta began living openly as a woman at the age of eighteen.
That decision, however, brought upheaval in her personal life. “At first, there was a big explosion at home. No one stood by me. Later, when I started focusing on my studies and moving forward, they embraced me,” she told Mathrubhumi News.
While pursuing her degree in Political Science at Maharaja’s College, Aneeta had to pause her studies midway due to gender reassignment surgery.
“Although I completed five semesters, I was unable to continue because of the surgery and the physical and mental problems associated with it. The intense stress left me completely exhausted. Those were sleepless days, and I had no choice but to stop my studies,” she recalled.
The setback was deeply painful. “The fact that I was halfway through my studies was very upsetting. I needed to know that my decisions were not wrong and that I needed to succeed in life. I must say it was a struggle with myself,” she told Mathrubhumi News.
Determined not to give up, Aneeta enrolled again the following year, this time in Islamic History. “This course cannot be seen as a religious study.
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It is an interesting subject to study in depth conceptually. I was able to clearly understand the Islamic socio-cultural environment and its geopolitics. It was a subject with a lot to learn,” she explained.
Financial hardship added to the struggle. Like many transgender students, Aneeta too had little support from family. “Most trans people come without any connection to their families. It is very difficult for them to earn money to study and live at the same time. I had the same difficulty. Although I was close to my family in the meantime, there were limitations in helping them. I was able to hold on because of the kindness of teachers and friends in the community,” she said.
Her teachers, she says, played a decisive role in her achievement. “My teachers were the ones who helped me achieve this success. My goal is to become a good teacher. I want to go for B.Ed. and become a teacher. I want to be a shade for my parents. I don’t want to say anything more than that right now. There is a big sky in my dreams,” she told Mathrubhumi News.
