City transgenders hail Delhi PIL

While the plight of the transgender community continues to be abysmal in the country, the recent public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court by a eunuch from Ajmer demanding recognition and acceptance is being seen as a step in the right direction. The transgender community in the city is supportive of the demands that have been outlined in the PIL. “It’s high time that the authorities pay heed to our demands and take our community seriously,” says Simran, an active volunteer of Dai Welfare Society, an NGO working for eunuchs. A transgender herself, Simran feels that the basic problem confronting their community for long is the problem of gaining identification. Tamil Nadu is the only state in the country that has recognised the transgender community, given them a third option in the sex category, hence not forcing them to choose between the two sexes only. “We want other state governments to take cue. Not only in Mumbai, but eunuchs all over India want to live with dignity. And this is not possible unless we have our own identity, independent of the two conventional sexes,” she adds.

Besides demanding recognition and acceptance of the community, the PIL also demands reservation in local bodies, legislative assembly as well as the Parliament. “It is hard for any change to come about in the community unless our community representatives have power and say in the decision making process,” says Nandini, another eunuch working for the transgender community. Working part time as a make up artist, she swaps back into her sari, the attire she is more comfortable in. “We don’t get jobs easily. So I wear my jeans and t-shirt and tie a scarf or bandana to cover my hair while at work. I can’t afford to lose my job,” she says. After the death of her father, her brothers disowned her, denying her the property rights as well. But she approached the human rights commission and got back her share of the property. Nevertheless, she is quick to admit that not everyone from the community is ready to fight for their rights and even if they do, the resources are meagre and the attitude of the authorities is extremely discriminating. “Neither the society nor the government has done anything for us. To them a hijra is someone who you can laugh and mock at. It all starts and ends there,” she states.

However Simran points out that of late many from the community have taken to petty crimes. “Although discrimination and violence meted out to the community cannot be cited as a justification for these wrongdoings, they nevertheless are indicators and are not very pleasant,” says Simran.

The initiation of an education programme for transgenders is also one of their demands and Nandini feels that there is a dire need for it. Drawing a parallel with the gay community, she says that many gays are educated and have financial support as well as independence, but this is not true for eunuchs. “There is a sea of difference in our lifestyles and appearance. We are far more vulnerable than they are,” she says, adding that the media coverage of the eunuchs is also far less favourable than that given to the homosexuals.

Being immune to constant discrimination, mockery and violence, Nandini is optimistic about the results of the PIL, but she is also unsure if their demands will be heard and catered to. “It seems dream like, but I am hoping that it comes true, as hope is one thing that we have counted on for several years,” she concludes.