‘Without Shikhandi there’s no Mahabharat’: Meet the trans person contesting Telangana elections

First transgender person is in fray from Goshamahal constituency in Hyderabad

The first transgender woman to contest for a Legislative Assembly seat in Telugu speaking States — Chandramukhi Muvvala — is ready to begin her election campaign in Goshamahal constituency on Thursday. The 32-year-old transgender from Hyderabad, who has worked as a television anchor, cine actor and activist, is contesting as a Bahujan Left Front (BLF) candidate. Transgender people need representation in Legislative Assembly, she says in an interview to The Hindu . Excerpts:

You were an activist fighting for rights of transgender people for over a decade and are a founding member of Telangana Hijra Transgender Samithi. Why contest elections now?

As an activist I was able to help my community by representing our problems before the ruling government. But I realised that transgender persons should have representatives at the policy making level as MLAs and MPs so that the community benefits from policies that are gender friendly. Besides, for democracy to work all vulnerable communities should be represented. The dance of democracy is incomplete without transgender persons. Without Shikhandi there is no Mahabharat.

Supreme Court’s National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) judgement of 2014 has already ensured that transgender persons be recognised as third gender. What will be your main focus area when it comes to gender friendly policies?

The spirit of NALSA judgement is positive. But in States, including Telangana, NALSA is not implemented in its real spirit; even our identity is denied existence. Transgender people are still facing stigma and violence. We need proper legal enforcement of NALSA judgement to ensure medical, housing and employment benefits for transgender people. Even now murderers who killed transgender sisters and brothers are walking free in Hyderabad. We need to put an end to violence and ensure that human rights of trans-people are not violated.

As the first transgender person to campaign in Hyderabad do you fear stigma? Are you confident of winning the hearts of voters?

I am confident that Goshamahal will embrace me. The area has three Havelis (traditional homes) and people are accustomed to the presence of transgender persons. Besides, my election manifesto covers the rights of all vulnerable communities, including the poor in slums who need housing and women who face gender based violence like dowry harassment and domestic violence. Clean drinking water, sanitation and housing are my promises to all people in my constituency.

What will be the strong message which you want to communicate to your electorate?

I am a Hyderabadi who knows what it means to be poor. I want to tell people the importance of casting the vote for the right candidate. Vote is power. Do not sell the vote to undeserving candidates who will not ensure dignified living for all.