‘No jobs, what are we to do?’: Pune trans community slams prohibitory order

“We have been doing this since before the Peshwai existed in Pune. I have not studied in a school. I grew up with my ‘guru’ who went out for ‘badhai’ (blessing in ceremonies). With that she brought me up and now it is our turn to take care of them. Without education, without any job prospects, what are we supposed to suddenly start doing? The times are changing but not all our conditions have changed the same way.”

In what seemed like a positive move, Pune police had opened its applications for police inspectors to trans people. But this move has left the community shocked and at a loss yet again.

“Nobody likes to be begging on the street. People of the trans community have been doing it historically because there have simply not been given any other options for daily sustenance,” said Shameebha Patil, a trans activist from the Tritiyapanthi Hakka Adhikar Samiti.

“Even our families disown us and the kind of stigma and prejudice we face leaves us with little to no options. I agree that some members of the community could get aggressive or violent sometimes, but that also happens among heterosexuals and cisgender people. Maharashtra has about 1 lakh trans people but can we release such orders against all of them because of the actions of 1,000 of them?” added Patil.

From entry in higher education institutes to finding housing in the city and employment opportunities, trans people in Pune face multiple challenges in building livelihoods and a stable economic position.

“Transphobia, fear or disgust is inculcated among people in society against hijras and people within the umbrella of identities defined as trans,” explained queer-trans activist Chayanika Shah. “So, over time some members of the community have used that fear to get their money. If we do not address the deeply ingrained disrespect of the public towards them, then we will always see them as violent and aggressive.”

While some are less hopeful, some think that this move, especially coming at the cusp of elections will help mobilise trans people to question the government and raise their concerns as an important election demand.

“Horizontal reservation for trans people in education and employment is an essential long-term goal and solution for the rights of the community,” said Patil.