Srinagar: Several transgenders are suffering from depression, stress and other mental issues and many among them have even attempted suicides, Aijaz Ahmad Bund, author of book ‘Hijras of Kashmir-A Marginalized Form of Personhood’ said on Thursday.
Bund was addressing audience during the book release function of ‘Hijras of Kashmir’ organised by Kashmir Womens’s Collective (KWC) in Srinagar on Thursday.
According to Bund his book describes overall condition of transgenders including their social, economical and mental conditions.
“Several transgenders are suffering from depression, stress and other mental issues. When I was doing their interviews I came to know several transgender community members have attempted to commit suicides,” Bund said.
The book according to Bund is collection of 24 in-depth interviews of transgenders ‘narrating their heart-wrenching and painful tale of victimization and disregard in the society’.
The book, according to organisers, is a first ever study about the community of the valley reflecting their socio-economic status.
Members of the community who participated in the function explained to audience how they face ‘humiliation, harrassment and disregard’ in the society.
“One of our friend died last winters due to Kangri burns but no one came to see him, not even his family members,” Mehraj-ud-Din, a transgender told the audience.
Another member of the community, Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Reshma said that most of the transgenders are living in miserable conditions.
“They cannot afford accommodation after crossing certain age,” Rashid said.
“How can a transgender can earn by singing? After crossing a certain age group they cannot earn from singing. Earlier we also used to earn from match making but since boys and girls marry of their own choice our condition has worsened,” Rashid added.
Members of the community accused successive governments of turning deaf ears to their plight.
“We went to Omar Abdullah when he was the Chief Minister, the guard outside his cabin sent us back saying he was not inside, same thing happened when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was the CM, and we were not allowed to meet Mehbooba Mufti sometime ago” they told the audience.
Noted poet Zareef Ahmad Zareef, told participants that people during ‘old days’ would take utmost care while talking to transgenders and would be cautious of ‘breaking their heart’.
“People believed that God’s wrath will surely fall upon the person if they would curse some one, for he listens to their prayers,” Zareef said.
