Saturday 28 January 2012

DMK shows the way to the whole of India


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)

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