Apsara Reddy this month became the first transgender person to be appointed as general secretary of the Mahila Congress, the party's women's wing. Before plunging into politics, Reddy worked as a journalist and transgender activist.

For a long time, members of India's nearly 3-million-strong transgender community have been an oppressed sexual minority. Being legally invisible, they have battled hard to gain acceptance and recognition. Apsara Reddy's appointment has offered a new hope to members of the community.

In a DW interview, Reddy spoke about her transition from activism to politics as well as the troubles faced by transgender people in Indian society.

DW: You were working as a journalist before. What was the transition to politics like?

Apsara Reddy: I felt that having a political platform was extremely important for me. I think you can do a lot of good for society and also become part of think tanks that shape social policy. It also gives us a chance to infuse some new-age sensibility into politics to make real change happen.

The BJP regime [the current Indian government under the Bharatiya Janata Party] has had very regressive policies regarding women, transgender people and a certain religious minority. We need outspoken people in politics and so I thought, why not join in. Read more via DW