like most eunuchs, I was also discarded by my family. I was not given an identity. My family regretted the fact that I was born in their home. But, I fought against all odds and became India’s first transgender to be elected as an MlA,” said Shabnam Mausi in the State-level convention of the kinnars here on Saturday.
She said the story of the eunuchs in India is very distressing. The hijras are considered as an embarrassment. Most of them are compelled to work in brothels as dancers. Some of them are also forced to beg. Time has come for a change in the lives of all hijras, she added.
Shabnam Mausi, a transgender from Madhya Pradesh, had been elected as MlA from Sohagpur constituency in 1998.
She questioned if the Government is taking steps for welfare of ST/SCs and OBC, then why eunuchs are neglected.
Shabnam also said an amount of Rs4 crore has been allocated for the welfare of transgenders in the Central Budget 2016-17. But that money has not yet been used for the kinnars. “If that allocation would not be used in coming six months, then we would stage stir,” she threatened.
The Odisha Government has promised to give Aadhar card, loan and BPl card. But the State Government should provide land and house for the kinnars first, as it is necessary, she demanded.
She also said in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chennai and Punjab, kinnars are getting respect. People used to worship them and take blessings. But in Odisha the kinnars do not get such prestige, as they do not have source of income. That is why they are begging and doing sex works, Shabnam added.
School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra said, “The eunuchs have also equal rights as like us.” He urged all the kinnars to work for the development of the State. Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh Municipal Corporation Mayor Madhu Kinnar also shared her struggle life on the occasion. She suggested all the kinnars to do something for the society.
law Minister Arun Sahu, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma and MlA Priyadarshi Mishra also spoke, among others.
The TG Suraksha Trust was launched on the occasion and its president Menaka Kinnar addressed the gathering. TG Suraksha Trust secretary Pratap Sahoo coordinated the programme. Around 600 kinnars from all over State participated in the convention.