Even Transgenders Are Human- Treat Them Right

Walking down the lanes of Mumbai during day hours is very tough. Lots of traffic, red lights and all that. Yesterday, while waiting for signal to go Green, I saw her walk across the street swaying her hips. She was draped in a colorful glittering sari that seemed to shine through the bright sun. As she came towards my car and tapped my window I pulled down my window and for a brief moment, my eyes met hers. And at that very moment, in the midst of the loud crowd and the constant sounds of the vehicle, her eyes spoke her unspoken words... leaving me speechless!

A strong aroma of perfume caught my nose. Finally, I dug my purse to get a 10 rupee note. As I gave it to her she blessed me with abundance bunch of happiness. That moment was a painfully happy moment for both of us. This particular incident made me ponder what do I think, and how do I feel these “visible but yet invisible” group of humans! “HIJRAS”

“Why don’t you find yourself a job? You seem young and talented” I told her.

Instantly she refuted back, “Would you employ me? No one wants to give a job to our kind.”

Whenever a Hijra is born somewhere, the hijras community cry the painful tears. The reason being, another person born who would never be given the deserved respect. Hence that child is taken by them. And whenever a hijra dies, it’s a moment of rejoicing for the community since the soul is finally in peace after been gone through the turmoil of the world.

This broad category includes transsexuals and cross-dressers too. But for centuries in India, all these terms have been brought under one broad category- called “Hijra”. The community is moreover treated as criminals, the outcast of the society and the subject to discrimination and sexual abuse. You would often find them wandering on the roads, clapping hands in the train and dancing graciously in the marriages well, not often do people want to see them or have anything to do with them. This is what we all know of them, right? The worst scenario is when the uphill struggle for the hijras first begins with finding acceptance within the family. Why aren’t these people given the deserved respect? Why are they made fun of and why is it so difficult for us to accept them?

And almost a long hundred years later, on April 15, 2014, the Supreme Court of India handed down a landmark ruling, identifying them as the third gender of the country. This huge and needed decision granted India’s transgender society the right to self-identity.

Transgender community is fighting a long never ending battle. The Supreme Court has recognized them as the third gender. They have successfully achieved today the positions of professor and police in mainstream society. They will undoubtedly win this “outer” fight of material gains with the persistent moment.