In a first, Hyderabad-based National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (Nalsar) University has exclusively designed a gender-neutral space in a bid to promote an inclusive student community. In a series of tweets, the university announced that one of the academic blocks in the campus will now house rooms and washrooms specially crafted for students identifying themselves with the LGBTQ+ community.

“Nalsar believes in inclusive education. I had involved students in my administration and their creative ideas have helped me in coming up with several progressive, liberal and futuristic policies. Persons belonging to the LGBTQ+ or gender and sexual minorities will have the same rights, privileges, and facilities as rest of the students,” Nalsar University Vice-Chancellor Faizan Mustafa said.

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The varsity also has plans to set up a gender-neutral hostel in due course. Several such initiatives are likely to come up soon as the university authorities are drafting a new policy that will address the concerns of LGBTQ+ community. This will include sensitizing its teaching and non-teaching staff and student body organizations about the discrimination faced by them.