Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy has made history by becoming India's first openly queer Member of Parliament after taking oath in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Widely known for her work in the Section 377 case, she now steps into a new role in public life.
A leading voice in constitutional law
Menaka Guruswamy has built a strong reputation as a constitutional lawyer over the years. She gained national and international recognition for her involvement in the landmark 2018 case before the Supreme Court of India, which led to the reading down of Section 377 and effectively decriminalised homosexuality in the country.
Her contribution to this case placed her among the key legal figures who helped reshape India's legal and social framework, particularly in advancing the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
From courtroom to parliament
With her swearing-in as a Rajya Sabha MP, Guruswamy joins a small group of legal professionals who have moved from legal practice into legislative roles. Her appointment is widely viewed as an important step towards increasing representation of historically underrepresented communities in Indian politics.
She was nominated by the Trinamool Congress and elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal.
Academic background and early life
Born in Hyderabad in 1974, Guruswamy has had an accomplished academic journey. She studied at some of the world's leading institutions, including the University of Oxford, Harvard Law School, and the National Law School of India University.
Her academic achievements include being a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford and a Gammon Fellow at Harvard, reflecting her strong foundation in legal education.
Career in teaching and global policy
In addition to her legal practice, Guruswamy has held academic positions at several prestigious institutions. She has served as visiting faculty at Yale Law School, New York University School of Law, and the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.
Between 2017 and 2019, she was the BR Ambedkar Research Scholar and Lecturer in Law at Columbia Law School, where she taught courses on constitutional design in post-conflict democracies.
Her work has also extended beyond academia. She has advised international organisations, including the United Nations, on matters related to human rights.
One of the most defining chapters of Guruswamy's career remains her role in the Section 377 case. By arguing for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, she played a part in securing a judgment that struck down a colonial-era provision and transformed the legal status of homosexuality in India.
This decision is widely regarded as a turning point in the country's journey towards greater equality and social acceptance.
Global recognition
Guruswamy's contributions have been recognised internationally. In 2019, she was named among the 100 most influential global thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine. The same year, she and Arundhati Katju were included in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people.