Hijda-a single word that denounces a whole segment of our brethren into the category of “outcasts”. I’m sure that no one here is unfamiliar with the term “Hijda”. We have used it quite a lot of times…sometimes laced with scorn...may be even a bit of sympathy...but never embedded with even a tinge of humanity. So let’s not waste space describing the biological know-hows of how “Hijdas” came into being. It is sufficient to know that the major credit for the formation of this anomaly in a human goes to the “X” and “Y” chromosomes in our genetic makeup. A little bit of shift here...a little bit of mismatch there…is more than enough to mess with the very gender of a human being. How susceptible we all are...and yet we seem to condemn this minority population with all our might.
                             

        “The plight of the Hijdas”…I’m amazed that this topic has so rarely been discussed. We find it pleasing to keep them in the dark…like a dirty little secret. It is not surprising to see that an alarming majority of this intersex population has been forced to turn to the streets. It may not be that prominent in Kerala, but it’s a common sight to see “Hijda” groups parading about in trains and busy streets of other states. And of course we have all heard of them forcing their way into all sorts of auspicious occasions to demand money in return for their blessings. People humour them, sometimes due to fear or sometimes because they think they have got their money’s worth in getting these circus entities to entertain them.
        People might argue that “but of course we scorn them”, “but of course we find them scary…just look at their shameful conduct!!...it is a disgrace to our country and our very morality!!”. With all due respect to all those who are blessed with the right body parts at the right places, what other option do we, THE ELITE humans leave for them? Their parents cast them out of their family due to some misconstructed beliefs of “shame”. No one is willing to provide them with jobs. Having not even the basic primary education they are looked upon as delinquents. But mind you, the genetic chromosomes have nothing to do with a person’s brain. But we never accept that. They are an aberration to God’s divine design and hence are misfits who are to be destroyed! But we often forget that even we were not born humans, we have all evolved from apes. A typical aberration itself lead to our formation. So thinking along the same line, aren’t WE also against God’s basic design?
        A fact that has always baffled and bothered me is why they have to suffer because of something that is not even their fault?! Why do we banish them so? Well only one good theory paved its way into my brain. People tend to fear that which they don’t know a zilch about. Even educated people are quite clueless when it comes to this issue I presume. With no laws, no acts, no shelter, no NOTHING for their aid...aren’t they the weakest minority in our country? Worse than scheduled casts…worse than scheduled tribes… worse than oppressed women…aren’t they the endangered minority? And still no acts, no shelter…and yet again...no NOTHING!!
        I wonder when “Hijdas” became such despicable “creatures” in the human dictionary. Even in epics like The Mahabharata “Hijdas” were highly revered. So when along the line did they become so feared…so loathed? Yet another mystery that can be added to this age of mists and veils.
        Why can’t the society just accept them? Why do they have to change? Weren’t they created by the same God who created us? Why do they have to undergo painful operations? Gonad removal, breast removal, vaginoplasty…believe me the list is endless and horribly painful! Since they don’t have much money they usually end up in the hands of quack doctors using butcher knives.  Cutting their own body parts just to gain acceptance into a prejudist society, that’s ready to scorn them even after their surgery, by viciously labelling them as misfits! All this pain and all this turmoil just to get rejected again and again?... Why? So many “whys” in a single article and I still don’t know “WHY” nobody has bothered with this issue though it has been an “in your face” topic for so long.
        A brief glimmer of hope is that now this minority population has at least started to accept themselves as NOT inferiors who should stay hidden away. There is a strong sense of brotherhood amongst them and they try with all their heart to uplift their own kin. The very proof for this is the annual “only intersex” meets like the All India Hijda Sammelan that is held at various venues. Yet the media doesn’t even cover such events. I again quote “people tend to fear that which they do not know”. So isn’t it the media’s duty to give this issue it’s long due limelight? But  “Oh! Ofcourse” this topic still doesn’t have the charm of the top leading actress’ nail breaking...does it?

                                             
        I am not asking people to change their mentality just overnight, neither am I asking people to become Mother Teresa. But a bit of compassion now and then wouldn’t hurt…would it?
        So, a word to all. Before you go around scorning or even making fun of the very concept of a “Hijda”, know that you could have ended up just like them if an “X” or a “Y” had gone wrong somewhere in your genetic makeup. Please do give it a thought…