‘Shikhandi’ , the Hermaphrodite
have their references even in epics and puranas. Their main occupation
is dancing and singing. Arjuna – the mid-Pandava, it is
said in Mahabharata had lived as a Shikhandi for an year. It is
interesting to enquire as to how these Hijada’s live now.
It is worth to enquiring in the bewilderment of their livelihood
what they are compelled to do.
Prostitution, begging, managing public toilets, etc. have been
opted as their livelihood. It is a fact that people hesitate to
join these Hijadas. The society naturally isolate these drunkards,
quarrelsome people and always keeps a distance from them. But
when we look into the deeper layers of their life the picture
becomes different.
For they are neither male nor female.
They are not considered eligible for Government jobs.
In these circumstances, they select many fields like running
of massage parlour or even begging to earn their bread.
As there are men reaching these Hijadas, attracted by
their charm, there are some among them who select prostitution
as their livelihood.
It is easy for the parents to identify the sex of a child
during the period of its birth. But as they hesitate to
reveal this, they bring up their children hiding their
defects. These parents never think of the difficulties
that their children would face in their future. It is
seen that, in some cases these disorders appear only in
their adolescence. In such cases, Hiladas like to live
together as separate group in the society.
In such groups of Hijadas, the head of the family, the
servants, young and old live together. They don’t
pat any ban in the co-living of such group or continue
inter-mingling of the members of such different groups.
This unity creates a single - family concept among them.
Among these Hijadas like other sectors
of the society there are luxuriates, who own palace like
houses, costly clothes, rich ornaments and vehicles. They
wish to lead a life as others do. Some Hijadas who are
experts in massaging run massage parlour and earn good
income. Some even invite men to their parlour and give
them all the physical needs they want and earn large amounts
as prostitutes do. As many of the Hijadas involve in activities
like these, they do not find any difficulty to earn their
bread. But, good health and beauty is essential for running
for such parlours.
In Karnataka, such Hijadas having enough
back-ground to live like this find their bread carrying
the ‘Goddess Yellamma’, or begging in trains.
But all the money then earn like this is spent on alchohol
or such type of intoxication. Some others being nuisance
to the public add bad image for their entire groups. As
the common community neglects the Hijadas quite often
they behave roughly to the public. Such actions to hide
their inferiority is the reason for fear and the antipathy
the public show towards them. Normally the Hijadas leave
their home at the age of marriage. The fact that they
will be identified as Hijadas is the main reason for this
quitting. But there are some who marry on the compulsion
of parents and ruin the life of others too.
There are instances of marriage among
Hijadas living as groups. Such marriage have a lot of
ceremonies. There are male – female differences
among them. Those who show more feminine character are
females. Though the beard and moustache are seen, their
behavior and other appearance will be feminine. Such are
those who go for prostitution and male Hijadas go with
them as an escort. The Hijadas showing masculine nature
are normally of less beauty. And also on hair falling,
when baldness appears, they look more masculine. But irrespective
of the masculine – feminine differences, their reproductive
organs will be of same type. However, they are also human
beings. As others, they are also having emotions, power
of thinking and intellect; but longs to be feminine unlike
others, that is all.
The Government is not giving any consideration
to these Hijadas who are side – lined in the society.
For being neither male nor female, they are not eligible
for a ration – card or a voter’s identity
card. As once they were side-lined for the only reason
that they are Hijadas, they don’t go to polling
stations now. But in North India there are a few political
workers among them.
“ Is it our mistake that we were born as Hijada?
We also have the right to live in this world, as other
human beings do. Like other religious minority, why are
we not given reservations? Are we not human beings?”
such goes their question to the society.
It is true that they too are human beings. These Hijadas
are to be considered sympathetically. Is it human to neglect
them and avoid them for the only reason that they are
born as ‘HIJADAS’? This is a question that
seeks an answer even now…