Bhubaneswar: Elated over being recognised as the third gender by the Supreme Court, as many as 230 eunuchs on Thursday cast their votes here in the state capital.
The All Odisha Eunuch Association, the apex body of eunuchs in the state, asked all its 1,300 members spread across the state to cast their votes and exercise their democratic rights.
"This is for the first time we have cast votes under 'others' category. Earlier, the eunuchs were casting votes either as male or female categories," said Madhuri Kinnar, the secretary of the association, who cast her vote at the Saheed Nagar Primary School booth.
Phula, Malli, Kajol and other eunuchs also cast their votes and demanded immediate setting up a Hinjara welfare board and reservation for them in elections and jobs.
Association president Pratap Sahu said all members have been asked not to miss the opportunity of participating in the election process.
"Eunuchs across the state cast their votes with enthusiasm," Sahu said.
