MANILA, Philippines鈥擨ndia made history after it elected its first transgender mayor in Raigarh Municipal Corporation in Chhattisgarh state on Sunday.
Independent candidate Madhu Kinnar beat Bharatiya Janata Party鈥檚 Mahaveer Guruji by 4,357 votes to become the first transgender mayor of Raigarh Municipal Corporation, according to a report by India-based New Delhi Television (NDTV).
Shortly after her win, Kinnar vowed to fulfill the dreams of the people who voted for her.
鈥淧eople have shown faith in me. I consider this win as love and blessings of people for me. I鈥檒l put in my best efforts to accomplish their dreams,鈥� Kinnar said.
The 35-year-old Kinnar funded her mayoralty bid by singing and dancing in trains. She said that it was the public who prodded her to run as mayor.
鈥淚t was the public support that encouraged me to enter the poll fray for the first time and because of their support only, I emerged as the winner,鈥� Kinnar added.
In a landmark ruling issued by the Indian Supreme Court in 2014, transgender people have been recognized as 鈥渢hird gender.鈥� There are an estimated two million transgender people in India.
鈥淚t is the right of every human being to choose their gender,鈥� the decision read.
However, homosexuality is still considered a crime under Indian law.
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