NEITHER HE, NOR SHE - THE UNWRITTEN STORY OF THE HIJRA COMMUNITY
- Ruchi Acharya
- Jun 12
- 6 min read
Welcome to the land of peacocks, India, where ancient traditions dance with modern desires, and the chaos of centuries breathes alongside whispers of Western grace. After a great deal of soul-searching, I’ve made the heartfelt decision to highlight the mission of my literary community, Wingless Dreamer, by giving voice to the Hijra community in India—a group so often overlooked, misunderstood, and mistreated simply for being who they are. It’s time we speak their truth with compassion and courage.
The Hijra community in India is a distinct, unconnected and historically significant gender-diverse group, often considered a third gender outside the traditional binary of male and female. Unfortunately, over the years, derogatory and disgraceful remarks have been swept across the Hijra community such as Chakka perceived as effeminate or week, Meetha or Meetha Churi meaning ‘Sweet Knife’ in Hindi, Napunsak – a Sanskrit terminology for impotent, and Sixer among others. My dear readers, if this doesn’t make your ears bleed, I don’t know what else will.
Indian government refrain people from educating or spreading knowledge about their culture relevance, legal status and modern day challenges. They might have introduced several policies but just like many other welfare policies, it’s been printed, filed and now, laying on dust somewhere in the old gothic library waiting to be put into the practice. But what’s the most beautiful part about time is, “It changes”.
Through this blog post, I’d like to make a small attempt to educate and highlight about the Hijra Community of India and indeed, consider it as my immense contribution in celebrating pride month of 2025. Why? Because a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. The more you know, the merrier you’ll be able to demonstrate the abundance of compassion and appreciation towards the Hijra Community.
WHO ARE THE HIJRA COMMUNITY?
For over 4,000 years, Hijras have been part of South Asian culture hinted in ancient texts like Kamasutra and Mahabharata with reference to gender-fluid and third-gender individuals. You may be biting your nails wondering about their sexual orientation. Let me ease the air for you. Hijras can be intersex, transgender, eunuchs, or male biologically but later identify as female or third gender. In today’s Indian society, many Hijras live in Guru-Chela (teacher-disciple) communities following the orthodoxic hierarchical structures.
If you ask me personally, I’d say they are Indian drag queens without a kingdom yet owning the Indian streets spreading blessings and making a living. Their identities often include both spiritual and social dimensions which require intensive research and study as there is a belief among Hindus fearing and revering as they hold power to bless or curse any individual especially during the wedding, child birth, festivals or housewarming. They are believed to possess spiritual power due to their gender non-conformity similar to the Lord Shiva also known as “Ardhanarishwara” who inherit both masculine and feminine energy.
During the shimmering golden heart of Hindustan, the Mughal era bloomed like a jeweled garden - where Hijras held respected positions in royal courts as guards, performers, and advisors. Poetry dripped from their royal tongues and courts glittered with silk, secrets, and moonlit mirates.
LAWFULLY LOUD: WHEN SOCIETY FINALLY SAID 'WE SEE YOU'
After centuries of invisibility, many Asian nations are finally tuning in to the heartbeat of the Hijra and third-gender communities. India, Nepal, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Bangladesh have proudly stepped forward, waving the banner of full legal recognition—proof that justice delayed doesn’t have to mean justice denied.
Meanwhile, Thailand, Japan, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, and Singapore are still rubbing sleep from their eyes, offering partial recognition but yet to fully embrace the rainbow in their laws. Sadly, Brunei and Iran remain stubbornly blindfolded, their silence echoing louder than their laws.
It’s not just about rights—it’s about reclaiming dignity, visibility, and voice in a world that too long pretended not to see.
THE LAW WAVED, BUT SOCIETY STILL SQUINTS
Where do I begin this tale of forgotten magic? In the heart of ancient Asia, a stubborn curse still lingers—an age-old stigma that haunts the sacred Hijra souls. It feels only right to call them divine beings caught between realms.
Yet, it’s a shameful mark upon humanity that the Hijra community still struggles for acceptance in medical care, employment, and housing. Many are forced into begging or sex work due to lack of opportunities. Imagine, you’ve been declined to use the washroom for your third-gender orientation. How helpless would you feel with constant negation on daily basis. The struggle is real.
Although, I must not deny the fact that the legal protections do exist but the practical implementation is so vulnerable and easily penetrable. Social acceptance remains limited, especially in rural areas, where rigid boundaries are drawn and the chance to embrace the cosmic energy and creative spirit of the Hijra community continues to be missed. Though blessed with spirit and legacy, they are still turned away—not just from opportunities, but from hearts.
I believe the world is still learning to remember the profound power the Hijra community carries in their presence. It’s time for governments, organizations, SMEs, and corporations to move beyond token words and translate third-gender inclusion from policy pages into everyday practice.
5 Hijra Legends Who Walked Into Fame
This blog will remain incomplete if I don’t mention the names of top 5 Hijra legends who broke the stigma in the Asian society and build their own rainbows with pride and gained international recognition and appreciation for their work.
A standing ovation and a big round of applause for:
Laxmi Narayan Tripathi (India)
Who: Transgender rights activist, Bharatnatyam dancer, and author.
Achievements:
Represented Asia Pacific at the UN in 2008.
First transgender person to speak at the UN on gender identity.
Founded Astitva, an organization supporting sexual minorities.
Member of India’s Supreme Court committee during the landmark 2014 “third gender” recognition case.
Pinki Pramanik (India)
Who: Former Indian national athlete and Asian Games gold medalist.
Achievements:
Won gold in 4x400m relay at the 2006 Asian Games.
Despite controversies around gender identity, Pinki stood strong and became a symbol of resilience for gender nonconforming athletes in Asia.
Nisha Ayub (Malaysia)
Who: Transgender rights activist and founder of SEED Foundation.
Achievements:
Awarded the International Women of Courage Award by the U.S. Department of State in 2016.
Advocates for the rights of transgender women and offers shelter, counseling, and legal aid.
Despite being imprisoned under Malaysian Sharia law, she continued to speak out for human dignity.
Bhumika Shrestha (Nepal)
Who: Trans rights activist and member of the Blue Diamond Society.
Achievements:
First transgender person in Nepal to travel abroad with a passport under the “other” gender category.
Played a vital role in Nepal’s legal recognition of third gender in 2007.
Featured in documentaries and international panels on gender justice.
Kami Sid (Pakistan)
Who: Pakistan’s first transgender model, activist, and founder of Sub Rang Society.
Achievements:
Broke stereotypes by walking the ramp in 2016 and appearing in fashion campaigns.
Actively works to promote education, health, and rights for the transgender community.
Starred in a short film Rani, which won international acclaim.
These trailblazers from the godly Hijra Community not only defied odds and mould the definition of impossibilities but reshaped the narrative for generations of third-gender individuals in Asia. The Hijra community is the living ink in the story of a more inclusive history, still being written.
THE FINAL BLESSING: A BOW, A BATTLE, A BEGINNING
In the sacred heart of India, where myths breathe and gods walk among mortals, lives a community as ancient as the Vedas and as mystical as moonlight — the Hijras. Let me deliver this message loud and clear, they are marked not by shame, but by the shimmer of divinity, they are the dancers between worlds, the keepers of transformation. Their spirit is forged in resilience; their voices echo with centuries of silenced power, now rising like a sacred hymn.
Though the scrolls of law have finally carved their identity into parchment, society still hesitates, this issue needs to be addressed and resolved — peeking through veils of prejudice, afraid to embrace their pride. Doors to homes, hospitals, and hearts still remain half-open. It’s our duty as LGBTQ+ allies to forget a safe and loving environment for Hijra members and serve them with best of our intention.
But the Hijras do not beg for belonging — they thrive it. With every graceful and elegant stride, every blessing offered at weddings, and every whispered prayer, they are not just demanding a place in the world — they are enchanting it, reminding us all that human divinity often arrives in forms we least expect.
Not a third gender. But a first light — of change, of courage, and of cosmic beauty.
ABOUT THE BLOGGER
Ruchi Acharya—poet, dreamer, and literary firecracker from Mumbai—is here to remind the world that human emotions aren’t for sale. As the founder of Wingless Dreamer, a global hub for writers and artists, Ruchi’s mission is to ensure every creative soul gets the spotlight they deserve.
On her path to becoming a world-class writer, she’s wielding her words like magic wands, advocating for love, feelings, and all the messy beauty of being human in this overly commercialized world.
Her mantra?
“All worries are less with wine.”
Cheers to that!
Website: ruchiacharya.com
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