The Supreme Court ruling that created a space for the third gender in India owes its existence to Laxmi Narayan Tripathi. Her crusade for the rights of this section of people has given it a foothold in mainstream society. On her maiden visit to Orissa, Tripathi spoke with Monalisa Patsani of Orissa POST on her life and struggles.
You were the first transgender to walk the ramp at Lakme Fashion Week? How did it feel?
Lakme Fashion Week wasn’t my debut event. I had participated in Indian Super Queen (a transgender beauty pageant, which she initiated) earlier.
I was into fashion choreography and had choreographed the entire Indian Super Queen pageant. Although Lakme Fashion Week was not my first ramp experience, it was fantastic because it was being held by this famous fashion brand in the Asia Pacific, and I was walking the ramp supported by ajio.com, a Reliance Retail company. I have also walked the ramp for a jewellery designer, and for Runway Fashion Week.
A separate akhada has been made for transgenders at the ongoing Ujjain Kumbh Mela. What effort did it take and how does it feel now?
It was not easy; nobody supported us. We had to fight with the government and told them that it was our Constitutional right to practice our religion. The Supreme Court has written that the state and central governments must ensure that our dignity be restored. In Hinduism kinners have always had an important place. We are considered ‘demigods’; that is the beauty of our religion.
What has the response to the separate akhada been like?
The akhada is not very different from the other 13 akhadas. But one thing different is that everyday thousands visit our akhada to also receive blessings from transgenders.
It is interesting because we are people who are not considered part of mainstream society, yet our blessings are considered important. This reaffirms that we are a vital part of this culture.
Have you observed any change in society after the Supreme Court gave its ruling on third gender? What more needs to be done?
Change, if any, is invisible. For instance, Orissa does not have a welfare board for transgenders, which amounts to contempt of the Supreme Court ruling. It is surprising considering that chief minister Naveen Patnaik is considered a progressive leader. Several organisations are doing a good job in the state. Nonetheless, the government should own up its people, and should not tolerate discrimination against some.
What is the status of transgenders in Orissa compared with those of other states?
In Orissa, the movement for the third gender is strong, but the government needs to wake up and protect the rights of the people. Teasing or ragging are major issues; so the government should adopt an Act to prevent such atrocities against them.
You are a Bharatnatyam dancer, too. Do you still dance?
I do. I used to take Bharatnatyam classes, but after getting involved in social work, I hardly get the time. I used to be a visiting faculty at Modern School of Dance and Theatre in Amsterdam.
You have taken many life-changing, bold decisions in life. How do you feel when you look back?
I believe the decisions I have taken at different junctures have proven to be right. They hold good today as well.
I have lived with my decisions and that has been my greatest inspiration besides my mother. Every human being deserves respect and dignity. No one should be stigmatised or discriminated against.
What would you say will change the mindset of people?
To change mindsets, advocacy programmes just as the mass movement for Pulse Polio eradication or HIV/AIDS awareness should be initiated.
We need to address the stigma associated with transgenders. I am optimistic and believe things will change, even if it may take time.
Are you in favour of transgenders taking to begging or prostitution?
What other options are there for them? They are perfectly capable of taking up any work like others. But the question is: Is there a work policy or human resource policy for transgenders? When a women’s work policy took so many years to come, and they are still subjected to sexual violence in workplaces and are still underpaid in many private institutions, how can we talk about rights of transgenders?Financial security is the biggest necessity. We should the see the productivity of a person not their sex.
