surreal_ravi

Indian court rejects eunuch mayor


Indian eunuchs traditionally see themselves as women

By Jill McGivering
BBC correspondent in Delhi


A court has said eunuchs are still technically men in a controversial
ruling set to force a mayor from a job held for women.
The landmark judgement in the central northern state of Madhya Pradesh
has thrown the political status of eunuchs throughout India into
doubt.


Eunuchs have gone into politics, with Shabnam Mausi as the country's
first MP
Its immediate effect was to say that Kamla Jaan - a eunuch - did not
qualify for mayor of the city of Katni as the post was reserved for a
woman.

Ms Jaan made headlines four years ago when she became the first eunuch
in India to be elected to the post of mayor, in the city of Katni.

She has been followed by a number of other eunuchs, elected by a
public disillusioned with mainstream politics.

Gender blurs

Now she is being forced from office after a lengthy court battle about
her gender.

EUNUCHS IN INDIA
Describe themselves as female

Often live in isolated societies

Earn money through singing and dancing

Some are castrated men, others are transsexuals and hermaphrodites

The case has even confused journalists who previously referred to her
as "she", and are now uncertain what title to use.

As part of India's reservation system, Katni's mayor must be a woman.

Although Ms Jaan, like most eunuchs in India, dresses as a woman and
describes herself as female, the state's high court has upheld an
earlier ruling that she is technically male and therefore fails to
qualify.

Ms Jaan's medical history is unclear.

Alternative

In India, eunuchs often form close-knit and ostracised communities.

Some are castrated men but others are transsexuals or hermaphrodites
who have been rejected by their families.

Traditionally eunuchs earn money by singing and dancing at weddings
and births but recently they have also started to enter politics,
standing as independents and offering an alternative to mainstream
political parties.

Some have argued that because they do not have family connections nor
children, they are less likely to be corrupt.

This landmark case marks the first time a eunuch has been disqualified
from holding office on the grounds of gender.