Issue Of Transgender In India

Over the past few decades, the issue of transgender in India has been a big problem in both social, and physical contexts. The transgender in India can also be known as Hijras, Kothi, kinnar, and shiv-Shakti, based on the different regions and communities. The roots of transgender in India go back to thirteen and fourteen centuries. At that time, Transgenders were considered as the most important figure in the society, however, during rule, their position got altered, and they were considered as “the breach of public decency”. So, from this point on they never were considered as an important part of society, and they were being abused. In 2014, The Rajya Sabha of India or Council of states passed a bill in favor of transgender communities that states that Moreover, in 2019 the Rajya Sabha passed another bill to provide protection, welfare, and other resources to transgender communities. Even though many bills have been passed in the country, but it’s still hard to change the perception of people towards transgender. Transgender women faced more issues than men, they were excluded from socio-cultural participation, political participation, and also from economic activities. However, in recent times, many organizations, and government bills have been established to support transgender women in society.

Being a transgender woman in India has always been a matter of concern. They were excluded from Socio-Cultural participation. India has a wide variety of cultural, religious, and language differences. Despite Indian societies, the general climate of acceptance and tolerance, there appears to be limited knowledge and understanding of the same sexual orientation. India has a variety of cultures, and religions, they accept, but when it comes to transgender women, they don’t get any status in society. Transgender may find it difficult to claim their share of property and money. Moreover, many transgender women are uneducated, because they don’t get the privilege to go to school, because of their status, and their physical looks. According to my mother’s story, which is based on the real incident. When my mother was a kid, and in their village, they had this girl who was transgender, and she was really well educated. Even though her parents knew about her, they did everything for her daughter, so that she can be successful. However, back in the days, when she was trying to get the job, and she was being rejected from it. Just as a hope, she even wrote a letter to the prime minister of India, Sonia Gandhi, writing about her concerns and issues she had been facing being transgender. She did get a written reply from her, but nothing could help her to live her life just as a normal being. After few months of trying for jobs, and everything that she could possibly do on her own end, she was left with no hope and no options. Eventually, she had to leave her and joined the group of transgender women. Although, she was really educated, just because of her biological and physical appearance. She had to leave her dreams, her family, and be a part of the group.

Transgender women in India are not only excluded from socio-cultural participation, however, but they also are not even allowed to be a part of the politics. Transgender Women have been following the major issues in every field whether it’s education, personal life, or politics. According to the article, “India’s Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 set forth a law by Empire that classified transgender as both immoral and corrupt”. India’s Criminal Tribes Act was established in 1871 by Empire, and they declared that being a transgender was no less than being a criminal, and murderer. They excluded transgender people from society. Furthermore, due to this, transgender women didn’t get any chance in any of the fields of society. Transgender women didn’t get to participate in any political affairs. However, this later changed when women started to participate in politics. As per the article, by the new “Mumtaz, a social worker, is the first transgender who came out to contest elections in Punjab from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)”. Mumtaz is the first transgender woman who contests elections in Punjab from BJP. She is a social worker and has been working with BJP for the last 11 years. Moreover, as mentioned in the article, Shabnam Mausi, was the first transgender woman in India who became an MLA. Shabnam Mausi came into politics when she contested the election from the Sohagpur constituency in district Shadol, Madhya Pradesh. Despite not getting any support from family, and was also unable to get an education. She got the courage to stand alone from million people, and she even learned 12 different languages.

Transgender Women in India were excluded from economic participation. Transgender women face a variety of social security issues. They run away from their house, as their family doesn’t support them. Sometimes, due to health issues, they also face issues to learn their livelihood. Moreover, they don’t get access to hospital facilities such as HIV facilities, hormone pills, and other clinical facilities. However, nowadays the conditions of transgender women in India have been improving in an economic context. Many companies are coming forward to hire transgender women based on their abilities to run the organization. These women are hired for various positions, serving the different purposes of the organization. As per the article, “The manifesto for trans inclusion in Indian Workplace”, it has been mentioned that “To encourage people from the trans community to apply for jobs in your organization, a company must advertise that it is an equal opportunity employer. It also must show that it encourages from gender and sexual minorities to apply for job postings”. This clearly states that in order to make jobs available to transgender communities or women, the most important factor is that the company should maintain the work environment. A work environment that will accept transgender women in the organization, and value their ideas and concerns. Furthermore, the article also provided the, “On September 2018, Sodexo helped place Paras Thakur, a transwoman, in a job at the administration section of the multi-national bank through TWEET foundation”. This also states that, for transgender women in order to get a job anywhere, they have to go through a lot of difficulties, and interviews. Most of the time, they also get rejected due to their sexuality. Many organizations have been formed in India, to help transgender women to get jobs. A TWEET foundation has been one of the organizations that help transgender to achieve their dreams. Paras Thakur is a transgender woman who has got accepted in the Administrative position at Bank of America, Mumbai.