WE CAN’T GROW WITHOUT INVOLVING EVERYONE: GAUTAM
Hijra Habba, the annual gathering of queer community and its supporters, was a bigger affair this year, with ace cricketer Gautam Gambhir attending the event as the chief guest
Hijra Habba is the annual gathering of the LGBTQI+ community and supporters, with an aim to celebrate their individuality as well as talk about issues that plague them. The energy and positivity at this colourful event tends to be quite high.
This year, it was an even bigger affair as, in the words of one of the transgender folks, “Section 377 ko utha ke kachre ke dibbe mei phenk diya gaya hai”. The Supreme Court has recently decriminalised sexual intercourse between consenting adults in private irrespective of their sexual orientation — something that according to Section 377 of IPC was criminal.
What boosted the morale of the community several notches higher was the presence of ace cricketer Gautam Gambhir as the chief guest of the event. “Mere bhaiya ji ayen hain... I am very happy,” said Simran, a transgender woman.
Gambhir was not the symbolic kind of chief guest, one who cuts the ribbon, makes a speech, and leaves. The cricketer was here to extend support and interact with the community to understand the issues. He also urged everyone to be inclusive in thoughts, words, and action.
“I am really happy that Section 377 has been scrapped, and I want to congratulate everyone for this judgement. I am supporting them (the community) and the cause of this event, which is to accept them as they are. One thing I can assure is that we can’t grow and move forward without involving everyone. They are as Indian as we are and should be treated with dignity and respect,” Gambhir said, to cheers and claps.
One to practice what he preaches, Gambhir had invited the transgender community to celebrate Rakshabandhan on Bharat Positive, the show he hosts on Fever 104 FM. He even tweeted pictures with transgender folks Abhina Aher and Simran Shaikh, who had tied rakhi to him. He had tweeted: “It’s not about being a man or a woman. It’s about being a HUMAN.”
With the theme Born This Way, the event had an exhibition to introduce people to the trans culture, their deity, and how gender-specific symbols such as bindi and moustache can affect one’s behaviour.
Gambhir also participated by putting on a bindi and wearing a dupatta.
“Gautam Gambhir is a big name and people follow him. We put a bindi on his forehead and covered his head with a dupatta. It was a part of our game to make people feel inclusive. When people of his stature support us, it’s bound to send a message of inclusivity among his fans,” said dancer Sneha Sharma, who wants to emphasise her trans status.
The event also witnessed a flash mob, dance performance by a queer troupe, and a song performance by drag queen and Mr Gay 2014 Rani Kohinoor aka Sushant Divgikar, who sang in both male and female voices.
In attendance were a lot of advocates of the cause, health care activists, and known names such as Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, a transgender activist who pointed out that “We are the only sexual minority that is visible to the naked eye”.
Sonal Mehta of India HIV/ AIDS Alliance said, “After 377, the real challenge now is in altering attitudes and behaviours of people and working threefold. We need to increase solidarity within [the community], empower, sensitise, and engage with policy makers.” While trans activist Gauri Sawant spoke about giving back to society, Simran reminded everyone, “Is function mein taaliyon ki kami nahi honi chahiye,” and the gathering obliged.
I am supporting the transgender community and the cause of this event, which is to accept them as they are. They are as Indian as we are and should be treated with dignity and respect.
GAUTAM GAMBHIR
CRICKETER