Bhopal eunuchs to launch a national party

Eunuchs, also called hijras and thought to number about 500,000, are mostly men castrated at puberty but they are referred to as "she." The expression is broadly used to describe those classified as neither male nor female.

Heerabai, another eunuch elected to a local public office, said the party would be floated in Jabalpur on the festival of Basant Panchami on January 29.

Hindus pray to the goddess of learning on Basant Panchami.

Intellectuals, traders, advocates and doctors who desire a "clean atmosphere in politics" could join the party, Shabnam said.

She refused to disclose the name of the party but said the word "Eunuch" will be included.

Eunuchs have a marked presence in Madhya Pradesh politics with two mayors, one legislator and three senior business executives.

In November, voters of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh state elected Asha Devi, a eunuch, as mayor.

Observers had said her victory marked another step towards social acceptance for a community that has been reviled for centuries.