The news coming from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province regarding transgender people has raised a lot of concern as to why people are adopting such a violent attitude against this harmless community. Recently, I was very sad when I read the details of the murder of two transgenders. But the statistics of the last five years are more disturbing. If the statistics of the four provinces of Pakistan are examined, the number of transgenders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is very less, but the incidents of violence against them are the highest, even killing them has not been avoided. According to a report, there were 267 incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the last five years in which transgender women were tortured and even killed.
A long time ago, I had an opportunity to work on the life of transgender people in a research program, in which I conducted detailed interviews with some of them, which revealed many hidden corners of their lives, seeing the situation today. It is estimated that the attitude of violence has already increased as intolerance has increased in the society, people are jealous of each other in many ways and this community is also a target of extremist elements.
I was looking at some parts of a few pages from my diary, in which the issues were exposed and they are still there today. A transgender revealed that the darkest and most painful aspect of our lives is that hatred for us starts from our home, the home of our parents where we were born. If a mentally disabled child is born in a house, then everyone is afraid of his displeasure, by serving him, they consider it as a means of salvation in this world and the hereafter, but if an imperfect man or woman like us is born, they treated us in a other way and disrespectfully or declared a punishment by Almighty. Parents, brothers, sisters and other relatives are also displeased. This is the reason why most transgenders leave their homes at a young age. The family members don’t have any worries about it. In such a case our Guru plays the role of our parent who is the most respected person for us. The Guru is also one of us, she too has endured the hatred and hardships of the times, so no one can know the suffering of the newcomers better than her. A blessing for the transgender under the patronage of the Guru.
During the research study, I also observed that the role of Guru is marvellous, Leader in the community, but she is also a transgender But fighting the violent elements is beyond her strength. Socially, she is not a powerful figure but her role in providing a home environment to transgenders is commendable.
Historically, it is worth mentioning that the life of a transgender during the period of kings and nobles was not as painful as it is now. They had a special place in the palace of the kings. Because of the requirement they were given the status of personal servants of the Queen and other womens and these people were considered important persons.
Even after the British came to power in the subcontinent, they used to get jobs even with the Nawabs in Princely States which is the reason why they were protected from humiliation in the society. However, to protect themselves, they also created a separate language of their own, which is still spoken in their circles, although it is a unique language, but they call it FARSI. But this is not Iranian Persian, the common man does not understand this dialect. Transgender speak the same language among themselves, this language is their secret weapon. Their communication system among them is very strong and sound.
A transgender revealed the reason of violence on them secretly. She told, whenever we got a chance for Civil Union, we would love to go for this relationship by the permission of Guru. Some time it causes hate, greed and enmity from other Fans. Unfortunately, we cannot protect themselves from extremist people which is harmful for our lives.
After the formation of Pakistan, transgenders are facing many problems in the society. They were often invited to dance in fairs and other happy events, but with the passage of time, this has decreased. After the introduction of dance on theater in Pakistan, their career suffered a setback, now the media has taken a new direction but there are still many areas where Transgender’s dance is seen for entertainment.
Due to the tribal way of life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there is a lot of difference in environment and thinking, intolerant behavior, social problems have increased. We have seen its expression at the university level as well. Just as people resort to violence even under the guise of blasphemy, similarly some people resort to violence for the sake of their ego, the justice system in Pakistan has become very weak. The people involved in murder, theft and robbery do not get punishment, and this is the reason why the fear of the justice institutions of the state and especially the judiciary has disappeared from the heart of the people. The result of which is that there is an increase in oppression and violence against the weak people in the society.
The troubles of a transgender’s life follow him till his last breath. But the tragedy is that as a result of his death, the burial of his dead body is also the most difficult stage, it is impossible to hold his funeral in the light of day, people are reluctant to join his funeral, even many Religious people and Clerics are also refused to perform Funeral prayer. So it can be assumed that the journey to the grave is also painful. In this hard times, the Guru is the guardian who plays her role in carrying out this stage. Members of their community say that it is not easy to get a grave space for a transgender in a cemetery.
The state of Pakistan has successfully tried to create a place for them in the local government system, but efforts must also be made at the community level to give transgenders their rightful place in the society, in which these parents should also change their attitudes. Due to which their differently abled children are forced to separate from the family. There is a Jirga system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, if the protection of transgenders is ensured at that level too, better results will be obtained.
