Topic: Case Study
7. The transgender community has always been a part of Indian culture and society. Eunuchs, who are called “hijras” in Hindi – which meant belonging to neither sex – had “served as sexless watchdogs of Mughal harems.” The sex transition would often be excruciating and sometimes lethal, in the absence of their recognition of their identity.
In first ever study conducted on the human rights of “transgenders” in India, the National Human Rights Commission has stated that the rights of transgenders are “largely compromised” and they are in a sense of isolation, within households, communities and institutions, amid rampant societal gender discrimination. Transgender people are facing an identity crisis in a “gender-specific India”, where everything has a gender identification including public utilities like toilets, security check at airports, ration card, PAN card, driving license etc.
About 92% of transgenders are highly deprived of the right to participate in any form of economic activities in India, with even qualified ones refused jobs compelling them to either beg or choose sex work. It says that 96% of transgender people are forced to take low paying work or undignified work as their livelihood such as begging and sex work and they are exploited by clients and beaten up. 89% transgenders researchers spoke to said that even qualified ones among them don’t get employment opportunities and above 23% are compelled to engage in sex work which has high health related risks.
They also don’t figure on the agenda of any political party as they do not form a noticeable vote-bank, it adds. They are totally invisible in all spheres of economic activities. Low level of education and social exclusion limits their employment and livelihood opportunities.
Elaborating on discrimination of transgenders, which begins from childhood, NHRC says parents do not play a proactive role in the case of transgender children. Instead, they suffer verbal and corporal abuses at the hands of their parents, siblings and other family members. Most of them keep their identities as transgender secret till it is impossible for them to hide it forever. Most parents consider their status as physical and mental defects.
The study finds that 99% of transgenders have suffered social rejections on more than one occasions. On their education, NHRC says 52% transgenders were harassed by their classmates and 15% by even teachers, a reason due to which they don’t continue studies.
When it comes to access to justice, the study reveals that they are harassed by police hence they don’t approach the cops. There are cases of gangrape of transgender people, but they can’t approach a police station fearing harassment.
There is no legal support to a transgender for entering in to a marriage, having spouse and setting up of own family in India. They are often denied an accommodation, both monthly rental or a hotel. The researchers cited a case study where a young film-maker in Mumbai’s Jogeshwari was asked to vacate a flat because she was a transgender. Another transgender, who was working with a call-centre in Delhi, despite being efficient at work, was asked to leave the job. Transgenders also do not enjoy any legal right in the property inheritance.
- Who is at fault for the deplorable conditions of the transgender community – The government or the society?
- Do you think it is possible to mainstream India’s transgender community? State your views.
(250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief, give an insight to the heart wrenching issues and discrimination faced by the transgender community.
Body:
- In correlation about facts of the case, see who is at fault for the present-day plight of transgenders – the government or the society? Give arguments to justify your points.
- Write about the possibilities and limitations on mainstreaming the transgender community in India. Give you views.
Conclusion:
Mention the steps that are needed to end discrimination towards transgender community in India.
