By:
Ullah, Inam Gul.
Choices in
certain cases are indeed very much restricted whereas in other they are
non-existent, birth and death definitely fall in the latter category. Birth,
without his consent, pushes Man into a state of quagmire and warrants his
aptitude and skills for the survival.
The planet is never a bed of roses and poses challenges to all and
sundry, however, for some ,these challenges are more severe and harder to
surmount. One such species is transgender, who from their very day of birth
start facing numerous challenges which continue till they kick the bucket. The
challenges range from identity crisis on biological grounds, social standing
and means of livelihood.
Their sole
and major crime is their biological make up, as they cannot be classed either
into male or female, and are therefore ostracized by their own parents and
family members. The family can’t afford
to carry the stigma of having a child of abnormal birth. The child is ostracized
and left to fight for his own survival, and thus the ‘family honor is saved’.
No heeds is paid to the fact that to what extent the child is guilty? Was it
consented by him to be licked into such a form? The action is divorced from
sanity and logical reasoning and is only directed at saving the ‘honor ‘of the
family. The act of ostracizing ushers them into state of social insecurity and are made
to face gross social injustice. They are not even accepted as domestic servant
nor chosen for other types of jobs which the so called normal people can do. A
demarcation line is drawn between them and the other people; they are neither
welcomed nor ever invited in social gatherings, funerals etc and are secluded
to possible extent.
Driven by
the necessity of survival they capitalize on their biological make and resort
to dancing etc in the functions and festive occasions of the ‘normal people’. The
professional proves as the sole source of their livelihood. Even in the
profession the environment is never conducive and friendly, they are frequently
subjected to harassment, catcalling and sexual abuses. But in the absence of
any other means of livelihood they have to take up with such attitude of the
‘normal people’. The situation sometimes
even result into incidents in which they even lose their lives, the death of
Alisha is one such recent example of the nature.
The worrying
bit is that it is not only the public which refuses space, and show apathy to
them, the government too is equally indifferent to their plight. Their stations
are usually raided; they are arrested, and are asked to pay police the ‘protection money’ out of their
meager income. However, a strange, yet a pathetic case appeared in Swat, where
the police raided a local station of the transgenders and they were locked up in the Mingora police station.
The reason cited by the SHO was totally illogical and a blatant violation of
the constitution of Pakistan. According to the SHO, some of the transgender
persons belonged to other district other than Swat and therefore they should be
sent back to their places of birth. He also appealed to the owners of the
buildings not rent their buildings to the transgenders. There is neither any
logic, nor legality nor sanity in both the words and action of the police.
At first
place the action is a blatant violation of the constitution of Pakistan and a
bid of denying the fundamental rights of the citizens as enunciated by the
constitution. Article 15 of the constitution reads as:
“Freedom
of movement, etc.- Every citizen shall have the
right to remain
in, and, subject to
any reasonable restriction imposed by law in the public interest, enter and
move freely throughout Pakistan and to reside and settle in any part
thereof ”.
Secondly, the transgenders are not given space
everywhere especially in the rural areas, therefore they set for the urban
areas where they are comparatively at ease and feel conformable, though not
completely, with their surroundings. The case of Alisha’s murder and the
treatment meted out to her at the hospital is enough a proof of the space
society gives to the transgender community. Alisha was killed allegedly after
she had rejected sexual advances by the murderer. When taken to hospital the
doctor, the cream and charm of the society, instead of curing her wounds
prompted to a flurry of stupid and nonsense questions: how much the transgender
charge for one night, what are the service they provide? Is sex included in the services? etc. Alisha
finally succumbed to the fatal wounds in the hospital. Neither heavens trembled
nor Man’s conscience awoke and the treatment continues…
Read Also..