Let's put an end to eunuch menace

In just one fortnight, we hear of how a eunuch attacked another train passenger after he refused to give money while on a long-distance train. This passenger was stabbed and severely injured in the incident. He is currently in the hospital. This follows at least two other attacks on passengers by eunuchs. While one does empathise with eunuchs who are marginalised and relegated to the fringes of society, facing tremendous ostracism, hostility, lack of job opportunities and avenues, this kind of terror, if we can call it that, is inexcusable.

For years now, eunuchs have been harassing commuters, especially in trains and at traffic signals. In trains they simply plant themselves in front of passengers demanding a sum of money. If the passenger gives them a little less than anticipated, they shower the vilest curses on the person.

First, they use superstition to scare the passenger or commuter into paying. If that fails to work, they try embarrassment with the usual threat of lifting their sari. If even that doesn't work, they abuse and threaten violence and news reports show that they may not stop at threats but actually harm the person.

On the roads, they harangue people in cabs and actually get into rickshaws or even try to ride pillion on two-wheelers if they are not given money. Eunuchs, too, cannot be allowed to intimidate people and literally push them into a corner to pay.

All those filmmakers making movies sympathising with eunuchs need to travel in local trains and face the choicest of abuses to see another side of the eunuch problem. It is time to stop this menace now.u00a0