If you are a member of a marginalised community, chances are, elections are your best hope. The fight for every vote ensures that even if momentary, a politician will make some effort to listen to you.
But what if ‘your’ voting electorate is under 80 individuals across a state with over 30 lakh people? Will any politician care?
This is the situation that Tripura’s transgender community finds itself in.
While things were never ideal for the community, hate attacks in the past year followed by the administration’s indifferent attitude mean the community members have no option but to leave the state in search of less hostile environments.
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The horrors of 2022
Tripura transgender persons acknowledge that the government has taken some positive steps for their welfare, but two incidents from past year have completely broken their faith in the system and society in general.
While one incident dates to January 2022, the other dates to October of the same year. In January, police detained four transwomen and allegedly asked them to strip to prove their gender. The shocking incident drew massive backlash and rights activists lodged FIR against police officials involved in the act. But nothing happened after that.
Then, in October, five transpersons were thrashed by an angry mob at Agartala City Centre on Durga Puja carnival night. The angry mob snatched their mobile phones and humiliated them in full public view for their looks and identity, using gender slurs. Again, no action was taken.
No wonder LGBTQ rights activists believe the state government is indifferent towards their rights. According to Swabhiman, an NGO working for transgender persons in Tripura, the total number of people belonging to the LGBTQ community would be around 500. Less than 80 transgender persons are, however, enrolled as voters.
“According to the Central government instructions, each state should have a specially constituted board under the Social welfare and Social Education Department. This board deals with the problems faced by the community at different levels and makes necessary efforts for justice delivery in need. Unfortunately, the Tripura government is yet to form a welfare board for transgender persons,” Sneha Gupta Roy, an LGBTQ rights activist of Tripura, told EastMojo.
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Roy admitted the government has taken some initiatives to constitute the welfare board, but added that it was at its nascent stage. “The Director of Social Welfare and Social Education Department has chaired a slew of meetings to discuss the issues being faced by the LGBTQ community people and the administrative structure of the proposed welfare board is also ready. But, being a government office, some procedures need to be followed, which is why the matter is getting delayed,” she said.
Highlighting her community’s problems, Roy said, “Tripura is not the only state where people from our community face discrimination. Almost all over the country, we are mistreated. But in big cities, society seems to have accepted our existence. We are not asking for any privilege, we only demand to be treated as human beings in all respects. We have the right to enjoy the rights enshrined in the Indian constitution.”
Such has been the fear of attacks, threats, and the lack of police action that Roy said several of Tripura’s transgender persons have left the state seeking protection.
“Last year, two incidents took place that sent shockwaves in our community. Since then, people have been leaving the state and trying to get them settled in tier-1 and metropolitan cities where transgender persons have social acceptance,” she said.
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When asked how many people have left the state, Roy said, “I did not keep a count, but most of the people who helped me organise Tripura’s first pride walk have left the state. They don’t want to stay here because they don’t feel safe. They thought I would do something but I also have limitations.”
Roy feels lonely following the exodus of transgender persons. “Today, I have no one staying here in Agartala to help me mount pressure on the government to get our demands fulfilled,” a rueful Roy told EastMojo.
EastMojo reached out to a transgender person who shifted to Delhi permanently after the January incident. Mohini, among the victims of police lock-up torture, narrated her harrowing experience and said that she would never visit Tripura again.
“I don’t think people in Tripura have any respect for trans people. It is a state where police can abuse people just because they looked different and were returning from a party late at night. What should we expect from society? In Delhi, you can find trans persons working in reputed companies and institutions, getting a higher education and shining in professional fields. In Tripura, no trans person can achieve that much because of social bullying,” she said.
Welfare board on paper
On paper, Tripura is among 12 Indian states said to be certified as having a transgender welfare board. According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, 12 States and UTs have constituted the Transgender Welfare Boards: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar told Rajya Sabha on December 10, 2021.
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“As per section 10 (1) of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020, ‘The appropriate Government shall constitute a welfare board for the transgender persons for the purpose of protecting their rights and interests of, and facilitating access to schemes and welfare measures framed by the Government.’ All the state governments have been informed on 09.10.2020 about the enactment of the Act and Rules for taking necessary action as per the provisions,” the Minister’s written reply further added.
However, the reality in Tripura is much different.
When contacted, a Social Welfare and Social Education Department official said, “As soon as the Ministry’s instruction reached us, a Board was formed. But there was no representation from the LGBTQ community people. When the matter came to light, some LGBTQ activists objected, and we abolished the body. The body will be constituted following all the norms and is waiting for formal approval from the minister. All paperwork and necessary clearances are done.”
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Requesting anonymity, the official also informed EastMojo that the department faced serious embarrassment following attacks on transgender persons. “Rectification measures are underway. The police and social welfare departments are working to address these issues. The police have also conducted special workshops for the officials to set a code of approach while dealing with cases where people from that community are involved,” the official told EastMojo.
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