In a significantly welcome sign of freeing sexual
identity from age-old biases and stereotypes, the Election Commission of India
on November 12 gave transsexuals and eunuchs a distinct identity. Instead of
marking themselves as males or females, they can identify themselves in
electoral roles as ‘Others’. This means that they can contest the election with
‘Others’ identity. Separate identity for them will not be confined to electoral
roles alone. The Election Commission has decided to extend the decision to all
other forms by the Commission, including IT-based formats and website. The
Election Commission has also given out instructions to electoral registration
officers through Chief Electoral Officers of all states and union territories
to implement the decision immediately. There will be immense pressure on the
Central and State governments to do the same at all levels of citizens’
interface with the State.
It is noteworthy here to point out that the
inspirational aspect of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu which took the bold
step to recognize transgenders as a separate gender, for the first time in the
country, that has moved the Election Commission (and possibly the Central and
other state governments in the near future) to act in tandem. In that respect
too, besides in many other measures, Kalaignar and the DMK showed the way to
the rest of India!
Wedded to the principle of social justice for all
deprived sections of the society, the DMK, the true and legitimate inheritor of
the lofty ideals of the Dravidian movement, in its Election Manifesto for the
State Assembly election in the year 2006 declared, “With a view to protect the
welfare of “Aravanis” (Transgenders) who have been ignored and treated with
disgust and contempt by all the sections of Society, we will take appropriate
decision after a thorough examination of various demands made by them.” This
was a promise made out of the Party’s voluntary commitment to every section of
the society and not for any electoral gain as their number in Tamil Nadu is
around only 60,000 of about million in the country.
As in the case of all other electoral promises, Kalaignar’s
rule took steps right earnestly to fulfill this promise too. After according
recognition as a separate gender, the State government issued orders for
distribution of ration cards to transgenders and when applying for any
government assistance, applicants can now mark their sex as transgender.
The government on the floor of the Assembly announced to
constitute a Welfare Board for the transgenders in the state and allocated Rs.50
lakh for the year 2008-09. The Welfare Board that comprises of eight members
besides senior officials and the Minister concerned, is empowered to look into
the problems, difficulties and inconveniences faced by the transgenders and
based on their inputs,, formulate and execute welfare schemes for their
betterment.
The government also announced to create special data
base of transgenders that would help deal with their problems and demands. The
database would map the population of transgenders in the state and find the
details of demands such as ration card, voter identity cards and health
facilities etc.,
The government has also issued a GO for the admission of
transgenders into government run schools and colleges. This is the first
instance when a third gender category is created for giving admission to
transgenders in government run institutions. In an effort to broaden employment
opportunities for them, the State government offers computer training and in
Chennai, 20 students learnt the operating systems that power call centres. Enthused
by the government’s efforts, a non-governmental organization in Chennai found
placement for 20 transgenders as security guards in apartment complexes, hotels
and corporate offices in the city. A training programme in self-defence, yoga
and meditation, and confidence building was organized to give them basic
physical skills and mental outlook that would help them fare well in their
positions. In various towns like Salem
they have formed self-help groups and successfully running food outlets.
In March this year, the DMK government announced that
all transgenders in the State would be brought under Kalaignar’s Health
Insurance Scheme for the life saving treatments and they would get free treatment
in government and private hospitals for serious ailments. Photo identity cards
for their enrolment in the scheme is being issued in the districts. Last year
itself the government announced that transsexuals can avail of free castration
surgeries in government hospitals thus saving them from crude and unhygienic
surgical methods by native doctors leading to health complications.
The sorry state of transgenders is not an age-old
phenomena. In ancient and medieval times they had some respect in the society. Hindu
scriptures depict them as having supernatural powers. Recorded history says
that transgenders were used as palace guards. They were entrusted with the
responsibility to look after the security of the female members of the royal
palace. However, with the advent of Victorian sense of morality imposed by the
British rule the transgenders fell out of the mainstream in India. The
Indian society now sees them as evil and immoral. They have become objects of
ridicule and sexual abuse. Some movies based on ancient mythology and history
portrayed them in positive and dignified roles. However, the recent films
depict them as objects of ridicule to provide comic relief to the audience.
Discarded by families and picked up by transgenders who
raise them as their own, it is because of the social stigma attached to them
that prohibits transgenders to get any conventional jobs. The most common sight
is to see them clapping their hands and begging in streets, trains and buses. Some
even indulge into sex work and petty crimes.
Transgenders are in need of equality and security. They
are being shunned by the society, suffer offences and crimes and are deprived
of basic housing facilities. They are forced to take up unpleasant professions
like prostitution.
Tamil Nadu under the DMK rule has taken the lead in the
country and the whole world in rendering social justice to these sexual
minorities, who have broken barriers of the caste and community, and uplift
them in social and economic status and lead a dignified life, and it is high
time the other states too follow suit and humanity look at them as equals!
(22-11-09)
No comments:
Post a Comment