To Behold a Rainbow
IT was a moment of shame and deep embarrassment for Gouri Bhadra, a 27-year-old transgender woman, who was forced to explain to the authorities why she could not wear the uniform tailored for men. It eroded her self-worth, she recollects. Bhadra works at the Kochi Metro in the ticketing section along with nine other transwomen. Kochi Metro earlier drew nationwide attention and applause when it appointed 23 transpersons based on their qualifications. However, a majority of them quit their jobs, unable to deal with multiple forms of discrimination.
"We were instructed to wear pants and shirts, similar to what men wear. We felt extremely uncomfortable complying with this directive," says Bhadra. Kochi Metro authorities rejected their plea to allow them to wear salwar or churidar along with an overcoat. Bhadra found herself having to stand in front of a group of men, explaining why their bodies did not conform to the expectations of men's clothing. "We would look like cis men in such attire, and we don't want to appear like that," Bhadra emphasises. "When I expressed that my body does not fit into a man's costume, I received a very insensitive piece of advice. I was told to schedule a date for sex reassignment surgery and provide the necessary documentation. Whether to undergo the surgery or not is one's choice. There are several members in the community who do not wish to undergo the surgery. The non-binary, non-conformist people should be able to live a life as per their choice." Bhadra, with the help of other members of the transgender community, took up the matter with the state's minister for social justice, R Bindu, to resolve the issue. "The minister took a decision favourable to us," says Bhadra.
Denne historien er fra March 21, 2024-utgaven av Outlook.
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Denne historien er fra March 21, 2024-utgaven av Outlook.
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'Are you Going to Tear the Pages of History Books'?
Dressed in his characteristic black overcoat and red turban, Jyotirao Phule (Pratik Gandhi) rolls up the blinds on a window, with determination written across his face.
LUCKNOW
A House of One's Own
The Curious Case of Waqf
THE Waqf (Amendment) Act has once again raised questions about the BJP government's true intentions on issues concerning Muslims in the country. Is this Act aimed at initiating a reform process within the numerous unwieldy Waqf boards, or is it a move to weaken their power?
Landed Realities
The earth tolerates our claims like a river tolerates a dam
Fear Amid Loathing in Lucknow
An atmosphere of fear and the shadow of the bulldozer hang heavy over the heads of Lucknow's Muslims who are against the Waqf Act, but are too afraid and worried to protest
Cross Your Fingers
The Wakf Bill may not solve the problem for the residents of Munambam village in Kerala, but it could deepen the communal wedge
Hermès for All
The trade war between the US and China is affecting all countries. The world is closely watching even as Trump appears to have softened his stand on Chinese tariffs
Maid of Dishonour
Arun Ezhuthachan's Sacred Sins reveals the untold stories about the condition of Devadasis in contemporary India
A Fractured Timeline
The competitive communal politics and perpetual casualty of the Waqf assets
The PK Doctrine
Looking for a foothold in Bihar's caste-dominated landscape, Prashant Kishor, the former strategist for other political parties, is reaching out to Muslims and women on behalf of his own newbie outfit. But can he cut their old ties with Lalu and Nitish?
