Transgender group leader demands putting stop to 'guru' custom

Pakistan’s transgender population has long been the target of mockery and social injustice, given the long-standing belief to stick to rules and customs. However, in a surprising turn, Shemale Association for Fundamental Rights president Nadeem Kashish has demanded putting an end to the “guru” tradition.

Abundantly prevalent in the hijra community, the guru concept dictates that transgender units are led by a leader, who fosters unwanted children after they’re thrown out by their families. The guru keeps these kids in their care, guide them in life, and provide food and shelter.

Kashish, however, claims that gurus facilitate these children to opt for sex work and prostitution, instead of helping them become responsible human beings productive to the society. They alleged that gurus “sexually abuse them” and force them to become street beggars, The Guardian reported.

Transgender is an umbrella term comprising hijras, eunuchs, and gender non-conforming people. They have always been present in the South Asian history, serving as Mughal emperors’ trusted aides, living in families as counselors, and being organisers of cultural art and dance groups.

Most of Pakistani transgender people, approximated to be 500,000 in total number, rely on wedding dances as their main source of income. This is considered to be an unstable means of breadwinning, and is only found in upper class of the society, which is why numerous other transgender people resort to streets to keep them alive.

According to The Guardian, Kashish says that “the life of a transgender is hard. We are sexually assaulted, financially exploited, and physically used.”

Earlier this year, Alisha – a transgender rights activist – was shot multiple times, and later died succumbing to the injuries as the hospital staff delayed offering treatment wondering which gender ward to admit her to. In November, social media witnessed a video depicting two men subjecting a hijra to horrific whipping.

While there has been slow but steady development for Pakistan’s transgender community, wherein the Supreme Court ordered recognition of a third gender on the national identity cards – a historical milestone, Kashish contended that members of this group need to step up and change themselves as well.

Being documented on official papers lets transgender people vote and allows them to register their candidacy in elections. Nonetheless, Kashish explained that most transgenders desire gender reassignment processes, and opined that it should be banned.

Their call hasn’t received a wholly positive feedback though. A guru in Punjab argued that they brought up unwanted kids as their own, cherished them, and assisted them in standing on their own feet. Another noted that their leader offered them love, something they were refused by their biological parents.

Discussing their future plans, Kashish stated that they intend to build and provide basic amenities for the transgender community. These aims include residences and health and educational institutions geared towards transgender people's rights. “I will run an awareness campaign asking parents not to hand over their child to gurus,” they added.

Kashish further commented that they make do with their funeral and burial procedures, since religious leaders – or maulvis – deny leading their prayers. In this regard, hijras are playing a pivotal role in the construction of a transgender-oriented mosque in Pakistan’s capital. “We are not allowed to offer prayer in the same mosque as everyone else. […] This new mosque will show the world [we belong to] the same community,” they added, as per The Guardian.