IPC Section 377 is a challenge the new government has to take up soon
A eunuch dances while attending a procession for the month-long All India Eunuchs Meet in Ajmer (Photo: PTI)
The SC’s groundbreaking judgement classifying transgenders as the “third gender” is emblematic of the concerns the top court has increasingly shown towards human rights. For years, they heard the derogative term “hijras” and bore a social stigma. They suffered untold indignities, particularly of a sexual nature, because of their indeterminate sexual status.
“Ardhanaris” may have been recognised in our ancient mythology and epics but modern society has shown far too much reluctance to grant them acceptance and to legally define their rights.
The ground reality, however, is very different, and it may take a lot more time for society to educate itself and to ring in equality to a fellow human regardless of sexual orientation. The recognition that transgenders are backward people opens the door to their finding greater social security. By marking out jobs for them, the government would be doing much for integrating them with society at large.
These are indeed momentous times for the third gender and a little more than 28,000 of them are eligible to vote for the first time in the general election in the category “Others”. The judgement also opens up possibilities for transgenders in education.
What remains to be done is to free all the rainbow people from the threat of criminal action if they choose to be gay. IPC Section 377 is a challenge the new government has to take up soon lest the momentum be lost.
Next Story
