Ahead of the Manipur Assembly elections scheduled on February 27 and March 3, questions are being raised by members of the state transgender community on how children are included in the 1,343 transgender in the state as per the 2011 Census and how only 208 of them are registered voters in the state's electoral roll.
In this regard, the transgender community of Manipur expressed that the figures presented in the 2011 census are questionable and require an extensive survey though there may be varied reasons for transgender failing to get voter IDs.
Bonita Pebam, a transgender told the Imphal Free Press that there are several trans people who are still not registered in the electoral roll. Despite several awareness programmes and debates about their rights, their representation and participation in the electoral process remain abysmal, she said.
The inclusion of age group of 0-6 years among the total 1,343 transgender as per the 2011 Census comes as a shock, Bonita said, questioning how a child under six years of age have been known or confirmed to be a transgender.
“Yes, it can be said that there are numbers of transgender in the state, and some are yet to disclose their identity. But if there are 1,343 transgender in the census, then why so less in numbers are electors in the state,” Bonita asked. A deeper survey and field identification is required in the state, she added.
Bonita stated that a one-day consultation on LGBTQI, social protection and human rights in Manipur, was jointly organised by the Human Rights Law Network, Manipur, All Manipur Nupi Manbi Association, Maruploi Foundation, Transgender Health and Wellness Centre, Manipur, All Manipur Transmen Association and Empowering Trans Ability at ICM Hall, Lamphelpat on Tuesday.
For the consultation, former member of Manipur State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Keisham Pradipkumar moderated the sessions, she said.
Although the apex court in its 2014 ruling affirmed that the fundamental rights granted under the Constitution will be equally applicable to transgender people, the reality is still very grim.
“The NALSA judgment talks about the inclusivity of the community. More than the government, the transgender sections blame society for the widespread discrimination they face. Section 377 was scrapped and the NALSA ruling was delivered by the Supreme Court but not much changed for us at ground level. Like women reservation bill, a bill for transgender should be implemented to improve their life quality,” a transgender senior citizen told the Imphal Free Press.
In 2014, the Election Commission for the first time categorised transgender as the ‘third gender’ after a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court. Of the total 28,527 registered transgender voters, only 1,968 had exercised their right to vote in that year’s Lok Sabha elections. The 2011 census put the total transgender population in India at 4,87,203. As per the latest EC data, the registered transgender voters for the 2019 elections is only around 40,000 – just 10 per cent of their total population.
Many trans people expressed that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) persons face specific obstacles when it comes to accessing many of their rights, including their right to social protection in the state.
Discriminations they face starts from family, Bonita further said, adding until and unless trans people are economically sound, their discrimination in the family continues. Many trans people eventually leave their homes to prevent further discrimination.
Again, to become economically sound, a workplace where they are accepted without any discrimination is hard to find and they usually turn to the beauty industry. Unless working at a beauty parlour, a transman or transwoman face harassment or discrimination at other work places.
Everywhere, trans people face exclusion even in police stations, the police do not respect them, she said.
Bonita further raised concerns of the trans people who had left their homes and did not have a permanent settlement place. Shelter homes for trans people is highly essential in the state, Bonita said.
Most commonly in religious rituals and ceremonies, trans people are not welcomed in cultural and ritual platforms or places, Bonita said. Even if trans people are legally given rights, they are not culturally accepted, and they are excluded from culture and traditions, Bonita added.
