In a bid to create awareness among people to use their franchise, transgender population in Dhanbad has been executing extensive awareness campaigns for Panchayat, Assembly and Parliamentary elections in the State. The programme was initiated some six years back under the banner of Jharkhand Kinner Samaj in Jharia block of Dhanbad.
“The initiative was taken under public awareness campaign where we request the voters to ensure that their votes are put to the right candidate,” said President of Jharkhand Kinner Samaj Chham Chham Devi. It was due to the joint effort made by them along with the government machineries that the voting percentage during the Panchayat elections went on to over 70 per cent, claimed Chham Chham.
The person who heads the transgender community in Jharkhand further said that they do not Campaign for any particular candidate but they only create awareness among people that their franchise be utilised for a suitable candidate.
“We do it for the sake of our satisfaction, that we are doing something for the good of the society. It is a voluntary initiative, for which we do not get any kind of funds or aid from anybody,” said Chham Chham.
She further said that they were conducting awareness drive on the lines of Sarva Shikha Abhiyaan being carried out by the government through street shows and dance programmes without taking a single penny from anyone.
The community had also carried out similar awareness drives during the recently held Assembly and Parliamentary elections in Jharia Block and received good response from the people resulting to a steep increase in voting percentage.
“As we do not demand anything from the people during the shows, they enjoy our programmes and also listen to us very seriously, which really puts a great impact on their behaviour,” she said.
Incidentally, around 70-80 transgender persons have been living in Jharia block since long, who after dividing themselves into groups of 8-10, carry out awareness campaigns in different localities.