While travelling in Bangalore,I often see transgenders asking for money in traffic signals. Sometimes they ask for it by simply clapping their hands in the distinct style,but most of the time I see them taking it either forcibly or by making obscene gesture. Most surprisingly,they selectively attack single men but never mess with ladies or couples. Once one of them asked me for money and I asked in return, "Why"? She stared at me for some time and then left without a word. But if it was a man,that person would be harassed beyond imagination,I am sure. My question is,why so? Why do they harass people like that?Why they have to beg when they can work?
When I was in college,I used to travel in local and express trains regularly. There also at least 5-6 visits from these people was a routine. They used to tease my classmate boys mercilessly,but never disturbed girls. I have given them money so many times and they blessed and praised a lot. But here in Bangalore,I have never seen them blessing or something like that. Moreover if somebody refuses to part with money, they hurl abuses and sometimes it looks very vulgar to other passer-bys. To avoid embarrassment people give them money and this is making them menacingly strong day by day.
Why begging? That's my question. They are able bodied human being,why can't they work somewhere? Why other people don't take them straight? Because of other so called "Normal" people they are forced to live a life of disgrace and shame....many discussions have taken place but without any concrete result. All effort became futile to include them in mainstream of our society............but why? Is sexual identity is the main identity for a person? Nothing else matters? We claim to be civilized and improvised but our thoughts remained in the Jurassic period,sadly! Still gender discrimination is so prominent in our society,leave alone the right for transgenders! Why they have to adopt a typical lifestyle and live a life of an outcast? If educated or trained well,they can do any job as efficiently as any normal people,then why this segregation? Still people mention them not as "he" or "she",but "it"! How derogatory that could be? Above all they are human beings,who gave others the right to look down upon them? Some discrimination took place in past,as people believed that they are not like "others"..........but aren't we well sensed now,to overcome that prehistoric mind block and take them normally? No children should be taught to giggle seeing them or to think them weird.........They are also part of our society,humiliating them is an insult to the whole humanity,people should understand the fact. We can't bring a sea change altogether,but at least we can change our opinion about them,isn't it? So next time,let's promise ourselves, when we see one of them,we will not ogle at them or make snide remarks. We will behave normally. Seeing the change in us,they will also reciprocate a positive behaviour,I am sure. I have already tried them,and believe me,that works! Better to change out already rusted thoughts,otherwise situation will take revenge in future. Once they start getting included into the mainstream of society,the menacing and torturing behaviour of them will be reduced and the discrimination also will be vanished slowly. Let's hope for that discrimination -free future.
