Thiruvunanthapuram/IBNS: Kerala has got its first transgender lawyer in the form of Padma Lakshmi, whose name has been enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of the state.

Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev shared a photo of Padma Lakshmi on his Instagram handle congratulating her.

Rajeev wrote, "Congratulations to Padmalakshmi who overcame all the hurdles of life and enrolled as the first transgender advocate in Kerala. Becoming the first is always the hardest achievement in history. There are no predecessors on the way to the goal. Obstacles will be inevitable. There will be people to mute and discourage. Padmalakshmi has written her name in the legal history by overcoming all this."

He added, "Padmalakshmi's paths have convinced them on which side to stand in the fight for justice. That is why Padmalakshmi's words are so sharp that in the journey ahead, the aim is to become the voice of the denied justice with the power of law. May Padmalakshmi’s life inspire more people from the transgender sector to enter advocacy. Adv. Once again congratulations to Padmalakshmi and the 1528 advocates enrolled yesterday."

Speaking to PTI, Padma Lakshmi said she would be speaking up for fundamental rights and justice for the marginalised.

"Taking up cases where there has been violation of fundamental rights and fighting to ensure justice for the marginalised, that is my plan and that is my desire right now," she told PTI as quoted by The Indian Express.

Hailing from Edappally in Kochi, Padma Lakshmi graduated from the Ernakulam Government Law College.