JOIN USEunuchs want political representation
With the polls to the four state assemblies and Parliament approaching, the All-India Association of Eunuchs is staking its demand for increased political representation.
The eunuch community feels that in order to safeguard their interests political representation by fielding own candidates in the upcoming elections is very essential.
The community’s politically active members are attending their national meet which is currently underway in Ajmer. Other than choosing a head of their association and performing annual prayers for their well-being, the major agenda of the meeting is to chart an action plan for polls, sources said.
“For the first time eunuchs will hold discussions for their political rights. There are hardly 5-10 eunuchs in the country linked to political parties. We work for the parties but when it comes to giving us positions of responsibility, parties back out,” said a former councillor, a eunuch from Rajasthan.
“I was councillor in Ajmer. I worked for SP but no ticket was given to me in the last UP polls. But this time, I’ll contest Lok Sabha polls from Amethi, whether anyone supports me or not,” said Sonam Kinnar, an SP worker, adding SP is the only party which has included them in any way.
Till date, Shabnam Mausi is the only eunuch to have been elected as an MLA in India. She fought and won as an independent candidate from Suhagpur Assembly constituency of Madhya Pradesh. In Rajasthan, Sonam Kinar and Manju Rawatare two members to have become counsellors from Ajmer and Rawatbhata, respectively.
Besides, eunuchs like Kamla Bhua and Asha Singh have held important positions as mayors.