Plight of Eunuchs in the Present Indian Society

The aim of the paper is to highlight the problems faced by eunuchs in the Indian society. Sex is biologically defined while gender refers to socially constructed difference between man and woman. Third gender-the eunuch “Hijra” (Is south Asian language) refers to individual who do not come under the definition of male or female gender. Eunuchs or “Hijra” communities existed in nearly all parts of world with their own limited identities, customs and rituals. In present India, hijras comprise the most exploited and impoverished sections of the society and they do not get any sympathy. Hijras are a highly secretive group and scientific studies on them have been few and far between. It is noted that society has still a lot of misconceptions and incorrect information about hijras and their way of life and how they came to join such groups. Government should more actively approach to eunuchs and develop public awareness program to handle the issues related to the third gender. Collected data showed that the majority of eunuchs are discriminated and they are being physically, verbally, and sexually abused. The deprivations, alienation, and hostilities encountered by eunuchs since early childhood are so deep and extreme that, at some point, finding no other social space, they exclude themselves.