Hijras gather in the city of the Taj

Vijay Upadhyay
Agra. For a city that holds numerous international conferences each year, Tuesday shall bring an unexpected surprise.

Daily train commuters from Agra to Delhi are well acquainted with the large number of eunuchs they encounter during their journey, demanding money by making lewd remarks and suggestive actions. The eunuchs or hijras are seen singing film songs during weddings, demanding money from the father of the bride or groom.

There suggestive posturings while singing a few snippets of a song embarrasses the victim so much that he quickly coughs up as much money as will rid him of the unwanted attention. Beginning March 28th, over 5000 hijras from the entire country shall be congregating at Agra, to participate in a month-long annual Akhil Bharatiya Hijra Sammelan.

Being held in Uttar Pradesh after a long time, the Hijra Sammelan is the biggest gathering of eunuchs, where they dress up in their best and celebrate the "new arrivals" to their close-knit community. They also demonstrate the skills of their trade much like corporate executives who would go over a case study.

However, against all local apprehensions of vulgar remarks and expressions that are usually associated with eunuchs, the Sammelan shall be held in seclusion from the rest of the city's population to prevent any unpleasant incident.

According to Rekha Kinnar, the organiser of this event in Agra, the Sammelan shall be held in a closed venue on the outskirts of the city and three dharmashalas have been booked nearby for the stay of the participants. While the entire Sammelan shall be held in the out of the way location, inquisitive townsfolk shall be able to catch a glimpse of the eunuchs on April 1st, when they shall take out a Kalash Yatra through the main roads of the city after a ceremony at the home of Sita Kinnar, a local eunuch.

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