Trans Indian parliamentary candidate vows to continue fight for equality
June 26, 2024The storm of India’s general elections has finally subsided, leaving behind a landscape reshaped by democratic choice.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, secured a decisive victory with 293 seats in parliament. As the nation resumes its usual rhythm amid the oppressive heat of summer, daily life gradually returns to normal.
Beneath the surface of political triumph and routine lies an overlooked narrative: the story of the trans community. In the vibrant scene of this election, trans individuals remained an understated but vital part. For the first time, a few trans people boldly entered the political arena, running for office and asserting their rights to representation.
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Rajan Singh, 26, was the youngest trans candidate, according to ‘Washington Blade’.
Originating from New Delhi, the bustling national capital, Singh garnered 300 votes and lost the election, but her role as the first and youngest independent candidate in the recent general elections is a tale of ambition and audacity. In a political landscape dominated by established parties and seasoned politicians, Singh’s decision to compete as an independent was both courageous and inspiring.
In a soft and humble voice, Singh told the Washington Blade that, even after 75 years of independence, India still lacks even 75 public restrooms dedicated to the trans community. She highlighted a stark reality: there is no platform for trans people to raise their voices on crucial issues.
Singh expressed her frustration and disappointment, pointing out the irony in India’s highly regarded constitution.
“Our constitution begins with ‘We, the people of India,’” she said, “Yet in these 75 years, that ‘we’ has never truly included us.” Her words highlighted the ongoing struggle for recognition and equality faced by the trans community in a country that prides itself on democratic values and an inclusive ethos.
“That was the main reason I decided to fight in the 2024 general election,” said Singh. “I am the first, youngest candidate from India’s capital, New Delhi. When I was born in 1997, my identity was male. In 2022, the government certificate indicated I was transgender, and in 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a certificate stating me as third gender. When I apply for a government job, I become ‘others.’ so one person has four identities. Most strikingly all these identities are not mine. I identify as a trans woman and no one recognizes my feelings and identity.”
Singh told the Blade that her main goal in filing her nomination was to bring the true identity of the trans community to the forefront of the nation. She explained that her candidacy aimed to breathe life into her community’s identity, asserting that if people had recognized the trans community over the past 75 years, they would have been granted the same rights as other citizens.
With a voice tinged with pain, Singh told the Blade that if the trans community had been truly recognised, there would have been moments when they saw the community speaking out.
“There would have been a time when we had a leader to represent us, a chief minister, and even a prime minister,” she said. “But there is no one for the transgender community.”
During her interview with the Blade, Singh shared a slogan she coined for her election campaign: “Sauchalay se Sansad Tak” or “From the toilet to parliament.” This slogan encapsulated her mission to elevate the trans community from society's margins to the nation's decision-making core.
Singh noted that only a few trans people voted in the last election. However, this time, 228 trans individuals cast their votes in Delhi, significantly increasing due to the community’s belief that someone was finally representing them.
“I was manhandled and threatened on the streets just for announcing my candidacy in the 2024 General Elections,” said Singh. “I was called ‘Chakka’ (a slang word for trans people), I was told how could we fight in an election. When I went to the cops to file a First Information Report, they did not file my report. On April 29, Delhi High Court provided me heavy police protection and with that I filed my nomination for election. Without the High Court’s police protection, I wouldn’t have been able to file my nomination.”
She told the Blade that society has been conditioned to see the trans community solely as beggars and prostitutes, a misconception far from the truth. Singh emphasized that these stereotypes have long overshadowed the diverse and significant contributions of trans people. Her campaign aimed to challenge these harmful narratives and showcase the true potential and worth of the trans community.
While speaking to the Blade, Singh said that India’s trans community has not seen much progress in the last 75 years. She acknowledged that Modi has taken some steps for the community, notably the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act of 2019, which has increased awareness among ordinary citizens.
Singh, however, emphasised that these efforts are insufficient and that much more work needs to be done. With great hope and determination, she called on the prime minister to establish a National Transgender Commission. This, she argued, would provide the necessary platform and resources to address the ongoing challenges faced by the trans community, ensuring their rights and dignity are fully protected and promoted.
“The world has seen for the first time in the last 75 years, that during the Prime Minister’s swearing-in ceremony this year three transgender people were invited,” said Rajan. “I was one of them.”
With immense pride and positivity, Singh stated that this is not a loss for her or the community. She sees it as a significant victory. For the first time, the trans community voted for one of their own. It marked the historic moment when a trans individual’s name appeared on the Electronic Voting Machine, an integral part of India’s voting system. This election symbolised newfound self-respect and empowerment, as members of the trans community proudly pressed the button on the EVM, voting for representation and a brighter future.
“We will prepare and fight for the establishment of a National Transgender Commission in the country,” said Singh. “We will pressure political parties that support the creation of the National Transgender Commission and basic services for the community; we will support them. I will fight the election again.”
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