<p>Eunuchs are increasingly gaining their deserved political space in Delhi. First, in 2009, the Delhi Election Commission allowed them to enroll themselves and contest the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections as ‘others’ instead of male or female. This step freed them from age-old biases and gave them a new socio-political identity. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Now, after eunuchs demanded being allowed to contest on the 50 per cent reserved seats for women, they have been allowed to fight the next month's civic polls as per their status enrolled in the voters' list. But even though the Delhi Election Commission has shown enough flexibility in accommodating this much maligned section of our society, the question arises that will people take them seriously?<br /><br />There have been few precedents of eunuchs elected as political representatives in other parts of the country. Asha Devi got elected as mayor of Gorakhpur in 2007 from a seat reserved for women. Earlier, Shabnam Mausi entered the Madhya Pradesh legislative assembly from an open constituency in 2000. But one does wonder that in a city like Delhi which fails to respect even its women, will the electorate here consider eunuchs as deserving political candidates? Or will they be discriminated against or just laughed away like they are usually? <br /><br />Surprisingly, eunuchs themselves seem to be the most hopeful in this situation. Anita, a eunuch who’s preparing to contest MCD elections in April as an independent candidate says, “Today’s generation is educated, professional and far more open minded than people, say, their parent’s age. We are seeing a drastic change in how they view us. They don’t look at us with jaundiced eyes but accept us as human beings. I am hopeful that voters, especially the young, in my area Sangam Vihar will judge me by the social work I have done here, my repute and good intentions, and not just my sexual orientation.”<br /><br />However, others are not as optimistic. Social leaders dealing with eunuchs and their day-to-day problems say that members of this community will have to prove their credentials before gaining political acceptance. Sumit Chauhan, project manager with Mitr, a community based organisation working with lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, eunuchs and men having sex with men, says, “Just as women have, over the years, worked very hard and proved themselves, eunuchs will also have to establish their worth. Even when we, as an organization, approach the police for various purposes, our dressing, style of walking and speaking are noticed first. It is only when we sincerely present our issues and points, do they start taking us seriously.”<br /><br />In this scenario it is heartening to hear public representatives say that if a political candidate, eunuch or not, is good at his or her job, he or she will be most welcome. Sanjay Kaul, president of Urja (United residents joint action of Delhi), the apex body of Delhi RWAs, says, “Every citizen of this country has an equal right to contest in elections irrespective of his or her caste, creed, community or sex. At this time when the society is suffering from bad governance and corruption, we should accept anybody who can listen to people’s problems and find solutions. Let us not discriminate and heartily receive anybody who can make a difference.”<br /></p>
<p>Eunuchs are increasingly gaining their deserved political space in Delhi. First, in 2009, the Delhi Election Commission allowed them to enroll themselves and contest the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections as ‘others’ instead of male or female. This step freed them from age-old biases and gave them a new socio-political identity. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Now, after eunuchs demanded being allowed to contest on the 50 per cent reserved seats for women, they have been allowed to fight the next month's civic polls as per their status enrolled in the voters' list. But even though the Delhi Election Commission has shown enough flexibility in accommodating this much maligned section of our society, the question arises that will people take them seriously?<br /><br />There have been few precedents of eunuchs elected as political representatives in other parts of the country. Asha Devi got elected as mayor of Gorakhpur in 2007 from a seat reserved for women. Earlier, Shabnam Mausi entered the Madhya Pradesh legislative assembly from an open constituency in 2000. But one does wonder that in a city like Delhi which fails to respect even its women, will the electorate here consider eunuchs as deserving political candidates? Or will they be discriminated against or just laughed away like they are usually? <br /><br />Surprisingly, eunuchs themselves seem to be the most hopeful in this situation. Anita, a eunuch who’s preparing to contest MCD elections in April as an independent candidate says, “Today’s generation is educated, professional and far more open minded than people, say, their parent’s age. We are seeing a drastic change in how they view us. They don’t look at us with jaundiced eyes but accept us as human beings. I am hopeful that voters, especially the young, in my area Sangam Vihar will judge me by the social work I have done here, my repute and good intentions, and not just my sexual orientation.”<br /><br />However, others are not as optimistic. Social leaders dealing with eunuchs and their day-to-day problems say that members of this community will have to prove their credentials before gaining political acceptance. Sumit Chauhan, project manager with Mitr, a community based organisation working with lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, eunuchs and men having sex with men, says, “Just as women have, over the years, worked very hard and proved themselves, eunuchs will also have to establish their worth. Even when we, as an organization, approach the police for various purposes, our dressing, style of walking and speaking are noticed first. It is only when we sincerely present our issues and points, do they start taking us seriously.”<br /><br />In this scenario it is heartening to hear public representatives say that if a political candidate, eunuch or not, is good at his or her job, he or she will be most welcome. Sanjay Kaul, president of Urja (United residents joint action of Delhi), the apex body of Delhi RWAs, says, “Every citizen of this country has an equal right to contest in elections irrespective of his or her caste, creed, community or sex. At this time when the society is suffering from bad governance and corruption, we should accept anybody who can listen to people’s problems and find solutions. Let us not discriminate and heartily receive anybody who can make a difference.”<br /></p>
