The news on 13th November, 2009 in Times of India states that “election commission has given homosexuals and Eunuchs a distinct identity- at electoral roll they can identify themselves as ‘others’ and can contest elections”. – A marvelous welcome step on behalf of the Eunuchs for their identity. But, why this is so? Who are these ‘other’ Eunuchs?
A Eunuch is a person who has been castrated at early age- which changed his typical characters often due to hormonal consequences. In fact the word ‘hermaphrodite’ is applicable for them, but in our present society, what we see as ‘Hijras’, are often neither hermaphrodites, nor true Eunuchs, but often imposters- doing a sort of business of befooling common people or doing crimes. So, as a whole we can say— i) True hermaphrodites are very rare ii) Perhaps a major part of commonly seen Eunuchs are childhood castrated boys iii) A percentage of them are physically male but psychologically and behaviourwise, carrying female inclination iv) Few so called ‘Hijras’or Eunuchs are just fraud males wearing female vests v) Some intersex people are there in society (like Klienfielter’s or Turner’s), who are not considered as Eunuchs generally and stay as such with disease entity/chromosomal aberration though theoretically they are probably Eunuchs.
But, perhaps we should accept the fact that ‘Hijras’ are man made though controversies may be there definitely.
History- We get information of Eunuch by castration, during 21st century BC and we find them in courtyard of Egyptian pharos also. Practice of castration was in ancient China, Greece or even in India. At present approximately one million eunuchs are in India- highest number in UP, lowest in Assam.
Types- Eunuchs known as ‘Hijras’ in India are of different types- though commonly they all are seen as ‘Hijra’. While true ‘Hijras’ are castrated people, ‘Zenana’s are persons with intact male genitalia and often involved in sodomy. The third group is ‘Akua’ who are persons dissatisfied for their maleness and feel comfortable with female attitude or wearing female garments. Fourth are ‘Chibri’ they are female, but stay in Hijra group and act accordingly. ‘Chinni’ is the subtype who are truly castrated boys who later on become female like. In history they were the ‘KHOJAS’, in true sense.
Chromosomes- Besides the external physical abnormality, chromosomal pattern in ‘Hijras’ are often of different varieties. It may be 46+XX, 46+XY. Total chromosome number may be 47, 48, and 49. Klinfielter’s syndrome people are also like this (44+XXY) even the Turner’s syndrome (44+X) cases. But, it is not always the chromosomal pattern, often the mental status of ‘sexual identity’ inclination which makes a Eunuch. But, it is not the chromosome always, hormonal effects and naturally psychological make up also play a vital role in a child in gender identity disorder. Also a part of cause is still unknown. Once upon a time ‘Hijras’/ eunuchoidism used to be considered bad, so people of such entity did not dare to come out. But with changing scenario of whole world and of course of Indian society, ‘female like’ males are trying to represent themselves. And with this- of course a definite and new recognition of this ‘third genders’ is going to be established.
Occupation/ Livelihood- The main occupation is of course dancing with the child on lap. But, as on today, as we find in trains or market places Hijras collect money from persons which later on is distributed systematically within the community. Hijras are very much related to crimes. They are often drug traffickers (Anandbazar Patrika- 29-03-1994) or connected to criminal activities (Hindustan Times 12-03-1995). Smuggling is a common business they do. Sexual crimes are intermingled with a Eunuch life since long back. Homosexuality is very common.
Investigations to be done in forensic view point to confirm a person as Eunuch.
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X- ray for age determination
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USG for confirmation of intra abdominal gonads
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VDRL and HIV
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Nuclear sex
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Karyotyping and DNA profiling
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Hormone assay
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Barr body estimation
Give a thought- It is really interesting though we all are familiar to these ‘ Hijras’ or ‘Eunuchs’, how many of us are ready to have a discussion on it? Why this is so? Few reasons have come up-
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The behavior of these ‘Hijras’ in general is ‘bad’.
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If you cannot pay them as per their wish they show unacceptable attitude.
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People think them as of abnormal sex and as sex is a prohibited topic of open discussion so also the ‘Eunuchs’.
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They are criminals- better avoid them.
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They are always suspicious and people know very less of them, their culture, disease, mode of death or rituals.
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They don’t mix with us, then why should we?
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They are abnormal creations of God, don’t give them weightage.
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We ‘can do’ something’ which they ‘cannot’, let them be our slaves or rather die- no importance.
Since long back, these eunuchs have been utilized in society-either as chief of ‘harems’ of sultans or as a responsible spy or in some social gathering. It is applicable for several countries including India. Though of course those individual eunuchs or khojas used to be often powerful or considered with respect, in general the eunuch community has not been accepted in society and inspite of their very presence around us, we never felt to know about them, their good or bad, their joys or sorrows. Probably this is the reason of origin of all crimes by them- the main being- castrating a normal boy to make their community larger- or a generation further to survive in this world.
So, perhaps these three common steps are essential in present scenario to pacify the ongoing bitterness:
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KNOW THEM- through media, newspaper, meetings, let them come forward and let us solve our questions on them. They should not feel that they are passing their sins as they did in previous birth.
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ECONOMIC SECURITY- at first literacy and then economic stability of them is very essential to call them back to main stream.
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STRICT LAWS- laws and punishments for crimes done by them should be prompt and strict- which is basically a welcome step for them. They should not be differentiated from other people of the society as per legal aspect is concerned.
What is the Eunuchs need today is sympathetic understanding and studies on their problems and not granting generous status ‘as others’. If there are old beliefs of good omen on their presence in wedding procession etc. in northern India in particular, they should be discarded with change in times. Every attempt should be made to rehabilitate them and discourage their begging business and thus cruelty of expansion of their breed by castrating poor lads at an early age.
Conclusion- Castrating male is a heinous crime and to be punished under sec 326 IPC. Though the old / disabled Eunuchs have real problems but in changing Indian scenario, proper implementation of Government rules can definitely save this community. But, it is our firm feeling that legalization of sec 377- i.e. non criminalizing homosexual consensual act will give rise to more sex crimes and more allegations on this community.
* Professor, ** Post Graduate Student
Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, MGIMS, Sevagram
