Hijra-A Third Gender group in India

Hijras

Hijras are a third gender group in India, defined in a variety of ways, but most prominently as those who are born males, but have female sexual orientation in regards to what they wear and how they behave (Swain). They often undergo a castration ceremony, gifting their male genetalia to Bahuchara Mata, a Hindu Goddess. Rather than defining themselves as transgender, they are a third gender altogether, neither male or female.

History of Hijra

The existence of a third gender originated over 2000 years ago in Hindu society. Unlike the recent prejudice toward Hijras, old Hinduism accepted and even celebrated people of non-binary gender expression. Ancient holy texts such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata tell the story of a Hindu hero, Arjuna, transitioning to the third gender (Harvard 2018). The society praised Arjuna and it became increasingly common to see Hijras as citizens or even rulers.

The acceptance of Hijra lasted until the British took over South Asia. "Hundreds of years ago, under traditional Hindu culture, Hijras enjoyed a certain degree of respect... When the British colonized India in the mid-19th century, they brought a strict sense of judgment to sexual mores" (Hylton, Gettleman, & Lyons, 2018). This judgment began the era of prejudice, hate, and brutality towards Hijras across India. In 1871, the British assigned all Hijras a criminal status and arrested each on sight. The stigmatism held until South Asia's complete independence in 1957, yet the community continues to struggle with new acceptance of Hijras.

Hijra's Today

The Hijras of India have not recently been socially accepted in society. This is evidenced by the prejudice constantly asserted toward them. This “prejudice is translated into violence, often of a brutal nature, in public spaces, police stations, prisons, and even in their homes” (Narrain, 2003). Not only is their prejudice surrounding the Hijras, these people have also been seen as less than human indicated by the deprivation of various human rights and inconsistent definition of a person. In court situations, they are prosecuted as people, however due to the term ‘sex’ in other state laws, they have previously been deprived the right to vote, stand in elections, marry, and to hold ration cards (Sharma, 2008). It was until 2014 that these standards were upheld. In April of 2014, "the Supreme Court of India allowed transgender people to identify as a third gender and directed the central and state governments to give full legal recognition to them" (Varma & Najar, 2014). Even after this court order, there continues to be a stigma surrounding the Hijras.

Due to this brutality, many Hijras move into a Hijra community called a “Gharana” where they “make a living by dancing and celebrating in births and marriages ceremonies but often [have] to resort to other means to make both ends meet” (Mal, 2008). Gharana’s are ghetto-like communities completely removed from the rest of society. The Hijra way of life is taught through secret lessons following the chela, or disciple. These communities actually help the Hijras survive and thrive by being a place accepting of their culture and welcoming to new Hijras. In these communities, they are able to work and earn capital which helps them thrive.

Growing Up Hijra

Young Hijras are often bullied and criticized by their teachers, parents, and peers. Schools can be a hostile environment, so most hijras do not get a full education, which can ultimately have an impact on their future career opportunities (Khan 2009). Besides a hostile school environment, often times a hijra’s own family is uncomfortable with and disproving of them. Some think that having a hijra child “tarnishes the family image” (Khan 2009).

In their early lives, hijras are subject to hostile and unsupportive environments, all the while facing an identity crisis of their own. Many have trouble feeling comfortable in their bodies, and since hijras often take on some sort of double-life, internal conflicts arise. Growing up hijra makes for not only an unsafe school and home environment, but also an internal struggle and confusion related to identity.

Learn More

Hijra - India's Third Gender Rises Again https://www.sapiens.org/biology/hijra-india-third-gender/

India's Transgender Community: The Hijra | Style Out There from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgw7M-JABMg&list=PLvR9F7LkK0oQLDfcxJ0U-0JwuidDmqvqt&index=813

NBC News: Indian Hijras and Academics discuss life with three genders http://bit.ly/2vx6FqL

Translating Hijra into Transgender: Performance and Pehchān in India's Trans-Hijra Communities https://read.dukeupress.edu/tsq/article-abstract/3/3-4/412/75027

Works Cited

Hinduism Case Study - Gender. 2018. Harvard Divinity School. Retrieved December 01, 2021 from https://hwpi.harvard.edu/files/rpl/files/gender_hinduism.pdf?m=1597338930

Hylton, S., Gettleman, J., & Lyons, E. (2018, February 17). The Peculiar Position of India's Third Gender. Retrieved October 02, 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/17/style/india-third-gender-hijras-transgender.html

Khan, S., et al. (2009). Living on the Extreme Margin: Social Exclusion of the Transgender Population (Hijra) in Bangladesh. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 27(4), 441-451. from http://www.jstor.org/stable/23499634

Mal, S. (2018, March 29). The hijras of India: A marginal community with paradox sexual identity. Retrieved October 02, 2020, from https://www.indjsp.org/article.asp?issn=0971-9962;year=2018;volume=34;issue=1;spage=79;epage=85;aulast=Mal

Narrain, S. (2003, October 14). Being a Eunuch. Retrieved October 02, 2020, from https://www.countercurrents.org/gen-narrain141003.htm

Sharma, S. (2008, November 11). Whether Eunuch are Recognised as Legal Entity in India. Retrieved October 02, 2020, from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1299010

Swain, S. (n.d.). Social Issues of India. Retrieved October 02, 2020, from https://books.google.co.in/books?id=9GFnYMnH_SQC

Varma, V., & Najar, N. (2014, April 15). India's Supreme Court Recognizes 3rd Gender. Retrieved October 02, 2020, from https://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/15/indias-supreme-court-recognizes-3rd-gender/