The All Odisha Kinnar and Third Gender Association on Sunday urged all political parties to extend support and send a Kinnar to Rajya Sabha and help the third gender come to the mainstream of the society.
“Kinnars lead a refugee life on their native land. They are being hated and neglected in the society without any reason. In order to protect their rights and bring them to the main stream of the society, our association secretary Meghana Kinnar has decided to file nominations for the May 25 election to the State’s loan Rajya Sabha seat. We urge heads of all parties to support Meghana’s candidature for the post,” demanded association president Pratap Sahoo at a Press meet here.
He said a request letter in favour of their demand has been faxed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and VP Rahul Gandhi, BJP president Amit Shah and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
A representative team too went to Naveen Nivas and handed over a copy of the memorandum to the Chief Minister’s Secretary. He said talks are on with State BJP and Congress leaders now.
Among others, working president Namita Paraid, vice-president Menaka Kinnar, Rani Kinnar, Sonam Kinnar, Kajal Kinnar and Mithi Kinnar were present.