E-Paper
A transgender behind Punjab’s first toilet block for third-gender in Bathinda
For 65-year-old transgender and six-time municipal councillor Santosh Kumari Mahant, a newly built Punjab’s first exclusive toilet block in Bathinda for the third gender community is a step towards the end of social discrimination.
: For 65-year-old transgender and six-time municipal councillor Santosh Kumari Mahant, a newly built Punjab’s first exclusive toilet block in Bathinda for the third gender community is a step towards the end of social discrimination.
Located opposite the bus stand, a special toilet block was inaugurated by her in November and was built by the Bathinda Municipal Corporation.
Santosh, who is serving a third consecutive term since 2008 from general ward number 21, is credited for pushing the local body to take care of the needs of transgenders.
Prior to it, she was elected thrice from the Bhuchu Mandi municipality, Bathinda.
Having an exceptional track of not losing any election since 1992, she now plans to work only as a social crusader for the wellbeing of the third gender.
“In 2014, the Supreme Court judgment recognising transgender persons as the third gender marked a major victory for the community that was facing social stigma and negligence in society. Though the Bathinda mayor and then municipal commissioner readily accepted my demand to construct a restroom near the bus stand, it will take time for the stakeholders to honour the needs of the transgender community,” she added.
Municipal commissioner Rahul said on Sunday that the local body has planned for restrooms at five identified sites, including Sanguana Basti and the railway station.
“The project is being carried forward on the recommendations of the lone transgender leader in the House,” said the commissioner.
Santosh demands that the MC mentions transgender toilets in Punjabi and Hindi for wider social awareness.
“Toilet is the key public facility where the transgender community faces discrimination. I am working with transgender councillors in Mansa, Pattran (Patiala) and Dinanagar (Gurdaspur) and third-gender community leaders to raise demands of constructing independent toilets at various public places, having separate rooms in hospitals and reserving seats in the public transports,” said Santosh.
Born in Bathinda, Santosh joined the group of “hijras” in 1976 before taking a political plunge in 1992.
“A few people in my locality wanted me to pitch against a powerful politician in Bhucho municipality in Bathinda district. Having no understanding of politics, I agreed and won for the first time in 1992. Later, people elected me again in 1997 and 2002. Then I moved my base to Bathinda and electors expressed faith in me three times in a row,” she said.
Santosh completed matriculation before 2015 to cherish her dream to become mayor of Bathinda.
“But my political aspirations did not go well with the leaders of my parties, Shiromani Akali Dal and then the Congress. I won all six local body elections contested but biases of political managers against a ‘kinnar’ leader proved will of affluent matters more than electors,” she said.
