Help is at hand, if you are facing any kind of trouble from eunuchs. Now, a group of senior citizens has stepped in to protect people from harassment by the transgender community, particularly during celebrations.
The group, mostly comprising ex-servicemen, has come up with a 24X7 helpline that would deal with the menace. They are of the opinion that the eunuchs, who make a living by dancing and singing outside households hosting wedding or birthday ceremonies, have become a ‘nuisance’ for citizens.
“Through this facility, we would try to interact with people so as to find of a solution to the problem,” said MC Papnai, a retired Lt Col and the bran behind the novel move.
The helpline 9838847403, termed as ‘Kinnar Utpad Nivaran’, has been set up set up under the banner of Veteran Sahayata Samiti in Indira Nagar.
As the trend goes, transgenders are frequently spotted at celebration venues. These groups, which may even comprise cross genders, do not leave before they are given money. There are occasions when they demand hefty amounts from the hosts.
“We have already started generating awareness among people by personal interaction and distributing pamphlets. It was only after we reached out to a large number of people that we realised that something should be done to solve the problem,” added Papnai.
{{/usCountry}}“We have already started generating awareness among people by personal interaction and distributing pamphlets. It was only after we reached out to a large number of people that we realised that something should be done to solve the problem,” added Papnai.
{{/usCountry}}This novel initiative by the elderly aims at setting up small groups in various locations of the city to tackle the problem. As of now, it is limited to Indira Nagar only. But it could be spread across the state capital depending upon the public response.
“Today, we are getting more than 15 cases a day. It is a good beginning,” Papnai said, adding, “We would expand the initiative in the form of committees in different localities of the city.
Where did the idea come from? Not so long ago, Papnai himself had a bitter experience of harassment from eunuchs when his pregnant daughter returned from Mumbai for delivery. “They demand too much, so I forced them out of my house,” he said.