The transgender is a creation of nature and both in animal and plant world, it is found. In gender classification, we have three genders, which are known as male, female and transgender or eunuch. Since inception of human race, the transgender or third gender is present.
Transgender is a third sex after male and female. In the nature’s planning, third gender is needed to maintain population. In the Mahabharat, Bruhatnala and Shrikhandi are representatives of transgender. Great warrior Arjun under the guise of a eunuch taught dancing to the daughter of king Virata.
The third genders were working as dancers in the temples in ancient times. They were believed as honest people. Shrikhandi, a warrior of the Mahabharat, is very much known for the death of Bhisma. But for the presence of Shrikhandi, the Mahavarat script would remain incomplete.
The commitment of Shrikhandi paved the way for the death of Bhisma and end of the Mahabharat battle. This proves that the third genders are very much committed to the tasks given to them.
Similarly in animal kingdom, particularly in herbivorous families, the transgender sex is noticed. Among elephants, the tusk-less male is a eunuch, which is known as Makhna. The Makhna is a third gender animal within the elephant race. Makhna is very docile and never seen aggressive for any reason or on any account. Makhna remains always away from elephant herds and needs peaceful living. Makhana is most innocent animal within the animal world. Again within the goat family there are eunuch goats, which are known as Nampusak Chiagat or sterile goats. They are very fatty and bear much of fatty acid which is required for preparation of Ayurvedic medicines. The details of bio-chemistry of eunuch elephants and goats have not been studied so far. It is very much certain that, the eunuch deer and antelopes must be found within the herbivorous families in the wild. It is never seen that the Makhna or the eunuch elephants are ever killed by tigers or lions.
Further, in plant world, male, female and sterile flowers are seen. The presence of sterile flowers strengthens breeding potentialities and keeps control over the plant population. The sterile flowers maintain the order of the nature.
Trans-genders have a negligible presence in nature as compared to male and female population. The bio-science and the biotic engineering should discover why such things happen in the nature. The hormonal imbalance and disproportion in the animal bodies always affect the off springs. The things must be properly and thoroughly studied for the mankind.
The misconception in society on trans-gender causes much more damages to the human rights of the third gender people. So there ought to be attitudinal changes in us to allow the third genders to live with dignity.
Recently, the Supreme Court pronounced a remarkable judgment in favor of the trans-gender citizens, which is known as NAlSA judgment. This is a land mark judgment. This National legal Services Authority (NAlSA) filed a petition concerning trans-gender rights and in response to such petition, the court delivered the landmark judgment on April 15, 2014. The apex court granted full citizenship rights regardless of gender assigned at birth and making provisions of all entitlements. The court directed the Centre and State Governments to implement its recommendations within six months.
The court maintained that the third gender is an established biological sex, which gets legal recognition like male and female based on self identification.
For identification of a third gender, no physical check up or other medical test should be used. A psychological assessment alone can serve the purpose.
The trans-gender people should be treated as a backward section people and all reservation facilities should be extended to them. Over and above, the problems faced in respect of trans-gender like fear, shame, social pressure, depression, stigma, including suicidal tendencies, should be redressed.
Over and above, the court directed to take adequate measures as to how the trans-gender section of people can regain their respect and place in the society which once they enjoyed in our cultural and social life.
The verdict given by the apex court is entirely true and based on facts. The trans-gender people are gift of nature and assets of the society. They are meaningful human resources.
In the past, the kinnars were working as Devadashi in the temples and in the places of worship of Hindu gods. In the festive occasions, they provided entertainment. In any auspicious occasions, the participation of the kinnar is very much needed. Suppose there was no transgender within the plant and animal community, diversification of sex would not be possible.
It is true that the percentage of trans-gender in the human society is very low as compared to other two sexes, but this section of people is totally neglected. The entire world should recognize the importance of the transgender and allow them to live with heads high. An exceptional character of this genetic class is that they are greed free and non-corrupt and also they do not like to amass wealth through illegal process. The census of trans-gender is not done in our State. However, it should be carried out to establish their rights.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist. Tel no 9937460649)
