THE EUNUCHS OF INDIA: AN ENDOCRINE EYE OPENER

  • Neha Anand

Abstract

Hijras (Eunuchs) in India have virtually no safe space, not even in their families, where they are protected from prejudice and abuse. The PUCL(K) Report on Human Rights Violations against the Transgender Community has documented the kind of prejudice that hijras face in Bangalore. The report shows that this prejudice is translated into violence, often of a brutal nature, in public spaces, police stations, prisons and even in their homes. The main factor behind the violence is that society is not able to come to terms with the fact that hijras do not conform to the accepted gender divisions. In addition to this, most hijras have a lower middle-class background, which makes them susceptible to harassment by the police. The landmark judgement of NALSA vs Union of India recognised the various civil rights of transgender community. This paper attempt to explore the various dimensions of the eunuch’s community, by discussing about their history, social recognition, legal status etc. This paper attempt to shed light on the status of transgender in India, the background of the court in understanding and recognising the status of eunuchs within the preview of Indian society and acknowledgement of their rights.

Published
2019-11-20
Section
Articles