Hijras

                                                          -Sudharsan
                                Images-Wikipedia
Who? 

A person is said to be a trans gender if the gender they identify with, is different from one at birth.

What? 

Hijra (aravani) is a term used in India to refer trans women. Sometimes it only refers to trans women who have left their respective houses and live as a community among other trans population. 

Hijras have a rich history in India. In Mahabharata Arjuna lived as a hijra for a year. Lord Rama of Ayodhya, gave trans genders, the ability to offer blessings in return for shelter during exile.

They used to serve as singers, dancers, maids and spiritual gurus.

When? 

British colonial laws criminalized Hijras under CTA 1871, and 377 IPC, forcing them to secret groups with secret languages.

Though, a very old community, they are ridiculed and feared because of superstitions (they are believed to have the capacity to alter a person's fate). India has about 4,90000 (according to census 2011) transgender people.

How? 

All are discriminated, abused, denied basic rights, even thrown out of families. Many take up begging and prostitution, as reasonable jobs are only for given either males or females.

The word ‘rape’ in Section 375 IPC does not even include transgenders.

Only in 2014, Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan ordered that they be recognized as the "Third Gender", much later than our neighbors Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

And so

People like Kalki Subramaniam (first transgender entrepreneur) , Padmini Prakash (first transgender news anchor). Are an inspiration to many, as they broke out of stereotypes that hiras bear.

In 2011, Hon'ble Justice Sathasivam said that the constitution promises equal rights to all, but has failed to deliver it for hijras.

The transgender community needs the support of other two sexes to break out of stigma and lead a normal life.