If today we talk to people about transgender, many don’t even know what or who a transgender is. We have to first explain them to which they reply ‘Ohh, Hijra’.
Yes, that’s how a lot of people still address them as- Hijras. Even when the Supreme Court, which is India’s apex body, has given them their identity as transgenders, people live with a negative mental stigma about them. People still address them as the ones who beg on traffic signals, in trains or come to our house during occasions like marriage, baby shower, etc.
We as human beings don’t realise but directly or indirectly we are the ones who should be blamed for such behaviour towards them. Their gender is not identified through biology and they are neither like men nor women. They can be transsexual, gay, queer people or transvestite.
India is one of the countries where people don’t accept them so easily and are shunned by their families and society. They are usually not a part of the cultural or social life and don’t get access easily to education, healthcare, and other such public spaces.
Not many know, but they have always been a part of Indian culture. It is said that when Lord Rama was exiled from Ayodhya, people from his kingdom followed him into the forest. He told his disciples: “Men and women, please wipe your tears and go away.” People left but a group of people who didn’t belong to any category stayed behind. They waited 14 years for Lord Rama’s return, due to which they won a special place in Hindu mythology. Hijras have also served as sexless watchdogs of Mugal harems and became part of India’s Muslim history as well.
It is not easy for transgender to figure out how they should deal with gender misalignment, due to which many of them get depressed as well. Harassment and mockery make their life more difficult which needs to change through more awareness amongst people.
Transgenders should be allowed to receive proper education, jobs and also a law to protect them from harassment. We should understand that every human being is unique in their way. One shouldn’t judge, discriminate or behave badly with them as every individual has got equal rights. There are some who amidst all these are brave enough to achieve their goals, stand-out and break the stereotype.
Reference: https://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/government/the-life-of-transgenders, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/17/style/india-third-gender-hijras-transgender.html, https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2017/12/t-for-transgender-a-life-of-struggle-for-identityequalitydignityacceptance-and-love-2/
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