Samvada News Bureau
In India, whether it’s a wedding, a housewarming or the arrival of a baby, there is a lengthy guest list that is prepared. But there is a certain guest who is sure to land up uninvited on all these occasions. They are the Hijras (the colloquial term used for the transgender community) or Kinnars (as they prefer to be called). In earlier times the Kinnars used to visit households on special occasions and sing and dance in joy and return with whatever money or gifts the family used to give them in return for their blessing which is considered auspicious in our culture. But of late these kinnars have undergone a major make-over. Their humble rides have been replaced by swanky cars and the simple dholaks have been replaced by hired professional musicians. Their simple demands have also been replaced by exorbitant ones irrespective of whether the family is in a position to pay them or not. And the worst part is that if their demands are not met they start to misbehave and curse and even go to the extent of undressing in front of the family household.
Residents of sector 30 are also witnesses to this harassment – if we may call it, by the kinnars. Recently a family in A block was blessed with a baby boy and even before the mother and the newborn could come home from the hospital, the kinnars arrived at the house. The family members present at the time told them that the baby had not yet arrived home and asked the kinnars to return after a couple of days, but the kinnars kept returning every day and sometimes even twice a day. On top of that, they refused to listen to the house owner, a senior citizen and would argue and negotiate for hours at length. The owner being hypertensive found it difficult to deal with the situation as it was taking a toll on his health. But the kinnars were unmoved by the senior citizen’s plea. One day when the family was not home these kinnars dared to open the gate of the house and trespass onto the property. The family later found this out upon checking their CCTV footage after coming back. Other residents also have many experiences to narrate regarding their encounters with kinnars. A resident recollects that some time back the kinnars visited their house and demanded a huge sum of one lakh rupees and would not listen to any of the resident’s pleas regarding her inability to shell out such a huge amount. They say that this is nothing but extortion. Another resident also narrates a similar incident when he was harassed by these kinnars and even the police refused to intervene in the matter.
Residents are now of the opinion that the RWA should take some steps in this regard. They say that the guards at the gate should be instructed to stop the entry of the kinnars into the sector. Many others say that the RWA or residents should form a voluntary committee who can immediately reach the house of any resident and support him if he is being harassed by these kinnars. Some residents believe that the RWA should hold talks with the police department and urge them to respond to such calls and take immediate action. While suggestions are many- the issue is deep rooted and needs to be solved on a larger scale. While our society is changing and some members of the transgender community have taken up different professions; their inclusion in the mainstream should be considered as the only alternative solution.
