Police go after eunuchs

SURAT, Nov 19: They are considered a regular feature at births, weddings and almost every other auspicious occasion. But now eunuchs have co...

SURAT, Nov 19: They are considered a regular feature at births, weddings and almost every other auspicious occasion. But now eunuchs have come under fire from the general public, fed up with their exorbitant demands and offensive behaviour.

Taking cognisance of a number of complaints lodged at police stations and with him personally, Surat Police Commissioner Maniram has promised to take action against eunuchs demanding money or behaving offensively if denied the same. 8220;Such demands for money are illegal and punishable under the law8221;, he said.

Ironically enough, the police themselves doubt the effectiveness of their campaign against eunuchs, associated as they are with shadowy myths and intangible superstitions. Winter, the wedding season, is when their activities peak, and the rush of complaints follows the rising demands for cash. At other times, eunuchs depend on their well-established network to track down new births and extract money.

Though none of their activities are new, police records say no eunuchs have been arrested in the recent past. While some policemen point out that they can make arrests only on the basis of a complaint, others laugh off the suggestion, victim to the common idea that eunuchs are beyond the law.

But, as some officials point out, anyone indulging in obscene acts in public can be imprisoned up to three months or fined or both under Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code. Extortion and making a public nuisance of oneself attract punishment under Section 290 of the IPC.

8220;All the complaints so far have been verbal and informal8221;, Maniram told Express Newsline by way of explanation. 8220;Although the police cannot expect to abolish the age-old custom altogether, we can discipline the eunuchs. I8217;ve heard that they8217;re demanding upto Rs 2000, which is high by any standard8221;.

Despite the appeal the commissioner made on Tuesday to inform the police of any harassment by eunuchs, the community seems to be unaffected. On Wednesday, a group of eunuchs was learnt to have stopped over at a wedding and demanded baksheesh. When warned that the police would take action, their leader reportedly made an obscene gesture and followed it up with expletives that are definitely not printable.

Story continues below this ad

It promises to be a long fight. And a finish is unlikely.