Regardless of race, ethnicity, geographical location, and religious beliefs, one thing remains paramount across all human societies- the role of culture in shaping the identity of a group or an individual in the society. Every culture is deeply dependent on ideologies that shape how humans express themselves and how society identifies them. This paper seeks out to examine the link between identity and ideology in the context of transgender people in India. In simpler terms, this paper investigates the influence of ideology on the identity of the transgender population in India. Before proceeding further, it is vital to define the dimensions of the study. Ideologies refer to a set of beliefs, traditions, and doctrines that determine the behavior of an individual, a group, or an organization (Martin). Typically, ideologies act as guidelines for social and political purposes. Identity is the character, traits, and any other feature that can be useful in defining a person (Newman). Typically, the identity of a person or group distinguishes them from other people. Transgender is a term used in defining individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were thought to be or assigned when they were born. (Collin, Reisner, et al.). For instance, a transgender person may express and identify as a female, although she was born with male reproductive organs.
Throughout the years and even in the present era, doctrines have played an essential role in shaping many aspects of society like gender roles and gender identity. This phenomenon is not only present in the Indian community but also cuts across many other societies in the world. Doctrines emerge from a myriad of ideologies that dictate how a specific society should operate and what is allowed to happen or not in a particular human community. Although India is a democratic republic and permeates universal human rights and freedom, religious doctrines have served for many years to oppress some sections of the society leading to isolation and neglect of some groups such as transgender people. It is critical to note that until recently, many religions did not recognize the existence and rights of any other gender identity besides male and female. Even with the recent development and awareness on gender issues, it is still observable that the transgender population still undergoes untold suffering due to societal and institutional ideologies rooted in backward doctrines.
In 2019, a constitutional act termed as the Transgender Persons Act of 2019 was enacted into the constitution, giving a legal identity to the transgender community in India and providing them with legal protection just like all other genders in the country (Mishra). Even with this law, transgender people continued facing difficulties stemming from the regulations contained in this law that required them to undergo a medical examination, swear affidavits, and other rigorous procedures to be identified as transgender (Sriraam). These unnecessary regulations were later scrapped in 2020 through the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) 2020 Rules. Such an achievement goes far in fighting for equality and autonomy of the transgender community in India. However, as one wonders, are legal measures enough to change the ideologies of the Indian society concerning transgender identity?. In searching for answers, it is crucial to investigate how Indian society perceives the transgender community in the country.
In India, the transgender community is referred to as the Hijra or the third gender. Even when the court accorded legality and identity to this gender, the Indian society has continuously favored some genders over others. Unlike in Western countries, the majority of Indians have not yet conceptualized between sex and gender, making it hard for transgender people to acquire a distinguished identity in society (Prakash). In this context, the Indian transgender community does not fit into societal categories or classes such as the castes, and therefore, it remains cut off from society. In the Indian traditional setting, the transgender community was responsible for bestowing blessings during weddings. Upon colonization by Britain and the introduction of binary gender systems, all the other gender identities were locked out of the society and became vulnerable to suffering, mistreatment, and discrimination (Balu).
Even with legal measures to ensure equity, the transgender community in India remains an exclusive Dalit caste, cut off from the ordinary society in numerous ways. Just like in other emerging economies, the Indian constitution advocates for education as a fundamental human right accessible for all individuals within school-going age in the Indian society (Jain). However, the Indian constitution lacks specialized mechanisms to ensure that the transgender community accesses the same quality of education as other genders. Even with constitutional provisions, it largely depends on the decision by colleges to avail educational opportunities for transgender students in their institutions. Even in this situation, civil rights activists and non-governmental institutions are building schools in the country to cater to the transgender community.
As stated before, the Indian society is yet to fully accept the transgender community as an equal gender to the male and female genders. This phenomenon is evident in institutions such as healthcare. Apart from education, the transgender community has continuously faced challenges in accessing healthcare due to discrimination and neglect by healthcare institutions and personnel (Baba, Rishi et al.). It is critical to note that for several decades, transgender persons in India have faced all sorts of harassment, assault, and discrimination in healthcare facilities stemming from their gender. Also, just like in education and other institutions, most healthcare staff are unaware of the techniques and approaches suitable for handling and treating transgender patients. Additionally, transgender persons are highly vulnerable to illnesses such as HIV, rectal Chlamydia, and other sex-related diseases that require specialized treatment (Balu). Lack of proper healthcare for the transgender community depicts the inequality in institutions which stems from ideologies that define gender identity in the Indian society.
Across all human societies, individuals seek jobs or employment to earn a living and meeting their needs. Although most traditional doctrines define gender roles in most communities, globalization, education, and technological advancement have significantly changed gender roles and employment trends in society. In most modern societies, females and males are considered equal in recruitment and employment opportunities. The challenge, however, remains for the transgender, and other identities that do not deem normal to society. Like in other countries, in India, the transgender community is rarely considered in employment (Philip, Joby et al). Most organizations employ based on male and female and therefore marginalize the transgender community. Even in the workplace, transgender individuals are highly susceptible to workplace harassment, mistreatment, and unequal payment. Inequality in employment bears adverse implications on the social stability of trans- persons, exposing them to exploitation, abuse, and poverty.
One of the critical challenges facing the transgender community in the world today is discrimination. Like in other countries, the transgender community in India faces a lot of stigma from society and also from institutions. In India, the transgender community remains excluded in numerous social aspects like the ones discussed above, rendering them helpless and forcing them into prostitution. All the scenarios discussed above continuously marginalize and exclude the transgender community leading to violation of their rights.
It is agreeable that all the exclusion, mistreatment, and discrimination stems from one phenomenon-ideology. The ideologies rooted in religion and traditions make it hard for Indian society to accept, appreciate, and involve the transgender community in various affairs. Although civil and transgender rights activists are doing a commendable job in creating awareness of the suffering and anguish of the transgender community, the current situation will be much better if the problem is addressed from where it starts from- ideologies (Chakrapani,Venkatsen et al.,). Arguably, it is much more challenging to change perspectives and ideologies. However, embracing modernity, inclusion, and equality among all genders is a critical step in addressing the current crisis facing the transgender community in India. In this context, reinforcement of the current and creation of additional policies is monumental in paving the way forward.
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