The third gender. A community on the fringe!

Picture of a member of hijra community, taken from google

Amidst the cacophony of elections and the growing melodrama around it, a very important news that should have been welcomed and discussed openly appeared to have been sidelined last week. The Supreme court of India, finally gave legal sanctity to the long marginalized community of Transgenders (commonly known in India as Hijras) by recognizing a third gender under the law that is neither male or female.

"Transgenders are also citizens of India. The spirit of the constitution is to provide equal opportunity to every citizen to grow and attain their potential, irrespective of caste, religion or gender." "Recognition of Transgenders as a third gender is not a social or medical issue but a human rights issue", justice K.S.Radhakrishnan, pointed out in his judgment. "Transgenders are citizens of this country and are entitled to education and all other rights. The decision officially recognizes a third gender in law and confirms that discrimination on grounds of gender identity is impermissible under the Indian Constitution.” This landmark ruling redefines Transgenders' rights and the state’s obligation to them.

This is a milestone decision for  a country like India and certainly should be received with standing ovation! Unfortunately, we as society have ostracized, ignored this minority very cruelly treating them with discomfort and derision making them social outcast leaving no choice for them but to beg, entertain or even get into prostitution and other illegal trades for the sake of survival. Majority of Hijras live in dire conditions are barely educated which further isolates them from society.

The community of Hijras, have history of more than 4000 years and there is clear reference to their status in many of the ancient books and scriptures with mention of how Hijras were held in very high esteem and respect gaining powerful positions in courts and society. Unfortunately, today they neither have any respect nor acceptance from society and despite India having made so much progress on many fronts they are still looked down upon with social prejudices, ridiculed and abused. There can't be any better example of their plight than our very own Bollywood mainstream cinema where Transgender community is portrayed in farcical situations, mostly as subjects of dehumanizing grave ridicule and harassment living on the fringe of Indian society, leading painfully isolated life.  

The step taken by the Supreme court of India is just the first step towards the welfare of socially deprived  Hijra community. Now the onus is on us, as society to change our mindset and accept, acknowledge and respect them as normal human beings and let them just BE. 

If we come across any Hijra at traffic signal or any other social ceremony, henceforth, let's try not be intimidated by their glittering make up, gaudy clothes, loud gestures and bawdy songs and dance. Let's remember, they are as flesh and blood human beings as me and you and as normal as anyone of us and nobody has any right to treat them otherwise. 

After years of discrimination now that Hijra community has been granted legal visibility, it is time for us as society to change with wake of our constantly changing social needs and fulfill our moral and social obligation by changing our regressive mindset towards Transgender community and accept them as part of our society.