23 June 2010
Bangalore, India
Demand Coverage Under Health, Pension Schemes
Fighting For Their Future: Former minister Shobha Karandlaje meets eunuchs and transgenders at Dasarahalli in Bangalore on Tuesday. She said she will take up their cause with the government
Speaking after receiving their memorandum, Yeshwanthpur MLA Shobha Karandlaje said: "Without identity card and voter rights, transgenders are deprived of government facilities. Recently, I had blogged on this issue. I will take up this issue of including sexual minorities under pension schemes introduced for Devadasis in the coming session. I will also urge the government to establish a directorate to rehabilitate and provide skill development opportunities for transgenders in the state. I will provide housing facility for the transgenders in Yeshwanthpur constituency under Ashraya Yojane.’’
Asked if she was in the race to be re-inducted into the cabinet, Shobha said: "I am not an aspirant. I will continue to do my work. It is left to the party to decide.’’
"In neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu a welfare board is established for transgenders and there is a provision for mentioning their sex as ‘other’ in college applications. But, in Karnataka sexual minorities are stigmatized, sexually harassed and they live in fear."
"There are 2,000 sexual minorities in Bangalore and most of the transgenders are graduates and well educated, but due to lack of opportunity are forced into begging and are victim of sexual harassment," Chandini, a transgender said.
Mangalamukhi Vasantha Kumari, a transgender said: "Migrants from other states working at construction site get access to voter card, ration card as well as shelter. We are born here but are deprived of basic facilities."
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