In the article “Neither He, Nor She: The Unwritten Story of the Hijra Community,” Ruchi Acharya explores the complex history, spiritual significance, and modern-day struggles of India’s Hijra community. Identified as a third gender outside the traditional male-female binary, Hijras have a 4,000-year history in South Asia, with roots in ancient texts and respected roles in Mughal royal courts.
Spiritually, the community is linked to a composite form of Lord Shiva and Parvati, representing the union of masculine and feminine energies. This divine association grants them a unique societal role: they are believed to possess the power to bless or curse, particularly during milestones like weddings and births. Socially, they often reside in Guru-disciple households, which provide a communal support system for those rejected by their families. Despite legal milestones—such as the 2014 Supreme Court ruling recognizing the “third gender”—Acharya highlights a painful gap between law and lived reality.
The community remains targets of derogatory slurs and faces systemic exclusion from healthcare, housing, and stable employment. Many are forced into begging or sex work due to these barriers. Acharya argues that true justice requires more than just policy; it demands a shift in the “social squint,” calling for empathy and the integration of this “divine” community into the fabric of everyday life.
