“We are part of this society and consider us as your own people. Don’t be scared of us. If we are given an employment, then we too can lead a dignified life,” appealed eunuchs hailing from various parts of the State and have been living in Mangalore.
In an interaction with mediapersons, senior member of the group Rani said that a few are trying to defame eunuch community by engaging in forcible collection of money and harassing public. “We beg for our livelihood. We receive whatever people give us. We want the government to give us a job. We are ready to take up the job of even sweeper,” Rani said.
“I am 33 years old and have been residing in Mangalore for the last 15 years. In the beginning, I was spending nights at bus shelters. I have faced lot of harassment from the public. In the beginning, none were ready to rent out a house for us. I have adopted a child, who is taken care by my relatives. My child is studying in high school. I want my child to study well,” Rani added.
Ramya, who hails from Hassan and is now settled in Thannirbaavi said that the eunuchs are given facilities by the government in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
“We want an identity card, voters ID and a job to lead a dignified life. Though the elected representatives have been making promises of providing us facilities, the promises have remained only on paper.”
Ramya said that there are a few NGOs who are working for the welfare of eunuchs in Bangalore. “However, in Mangalore, we do not get any facilities. We are called by various names. We are hurt by such names,” Ramya said and added: “We are ready for medical test, to ascertain that we are eunuchs.”
Speaking on the occasion, DYFI leader Muneer Katipalla said that eunuchs have the right to live, just like a common man. “It is the responsibility of the government to provide them a shelter.” DYFI leader Dayanand Shetty said that the eunuchs should not be discriminated. They should be brought to the mainstream of the society.
They have been neglected not only by the society, but by their parents too. Hence, they have moved away from their homeland. On the other hand, in the name of eunuchs, many are engaged in forcible collection of money, he rued.