The Election Commission may have introduced 'others' gender option in an attempt to uplift the oppressed communities, but the transgender community says they are still living in social stigma and are yet to be included in the democratic process.
Despite 15,000 to 20,000 transgenders living across the national capital, mere 839 have enrolled themselves (as per the data by Delhi's Chief Electoral office) and will be casting their votes in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls to be held in New Delhi on April 10.
"There is a huge difference between the population figure and electoral figure. The figure is low because we still do not feel comfortable to register ourselves in the electoral roll because of the discrimination we suffer," said a transgender Jaya.
She said many of the transgenders are still secluded from the mainstream society and culture. "The society still needs to accept us. We are a reality and not tales. We are called 'Hijda' (eunuch) and are looked down upon. The voluntarily participation will rise once the government and the people start respecting and accepting us," Jaya said.
However, the community members welcomes the EC's initiative and feel that other departments and organisations too should take this example and give such option so that they can come out freely in the society with an 'Identity'.
"We have faced so much discrimination that now we only feel safe within our community and people. We are at times even termed as 'criminals'," a transgender said on condition of anonymity.
Kiran, another transgender, says she is aware of the importance they (transgenders) are being given in the Lok Sabha elections.
"Our community has found a mention in Congress' manifesto of 2014 elections which says: The Indian National Congress believes that society should be more sensitive to the rights of the transgender community. This issue will receive separate and continued attention. We are happy that Congress has thought about our rights and grievances," she said.
"Even AAP supported our demands when there was an outrage against section 377. But BJP leaders criticised our protest. We are updated about the responses of the political parties through the media," said the 27-year-old.
"I am aware about the mention of transgenders in Congress manifesto of 2014 elections. We are happy that Congress has thought about our rights and grievances" she said.
Sanjiv, a resident of GK 1 and who works for the welfare of HIV positive people believes that health is an area where they have been ignored. "I work for HIV positive persons including transgenders. Despite they (transgenders) being a sizeable population, they don't receive any benefits," he said.
Two years after the Election Commission introduced 'others' gender option, the national figure of transgender community members in the electoral roll stand merely at 28,000.
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