Take action against fake eunuchs

They are not eunuchs or 'hijras' by birth. Most of them underwent castration and dress up like women to identify themselves as female only to earn more money through cheating, extortion and drug peddling.
A group of hijras revealed this at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity office yesterday, saying that the number such hijras has been increasing alarmingly, who are engaged in criminal activities.
They also said that they do not want to make a living out of crimes any longer and urged the government to take action against the fake hijras who are cheating and harassing people in various ways.
Badhan Hijra Sangha and Shustha Jibon jointly organised the press conference to tell how they use their hijra identity to make a living.
"As the administration usually don't take action against hijras, some men become hijras to commit crimes and go unpunished. The monthly earning of these people ranges from Tk 30,000 to Tk 1.5 lakh," said Bakul Hijra, whose real name is Alamgir Mollah.
Moti, who is now known as Sarathi, 30, said that he worked in Saudi Arabia as a migrant worker. After returning to the country, he started fruit business in Tongi.
"But one day, Sathi, who is a male but dresses up like a woman, approached me and said that I could earn more money if I was castrated and identify myself as a woman," said Sarathi.
"Then Sathi and his sister took me to Rupsha Nursing Home in Khulna and it took two hours for the doctors to do the surgery," he added.
He also said that the surgery cost Tk 20,000 and there are many nursing homes where such operations are performed.
"We are just cheating people and I do not want to do this any longer. I underwent castration just to earn more money and now I am suffering from various physical and social problems. Even my mother doesn't like me," he said.
Delwar Hossain alias Poly, who has a wife and two children, said one Abul Hossain forced him into the surgery.
Bakul Hijra said there are only five real eunuchs in the country.
Pinki Shikder, president of Badhan Hijra Shangha, also spoke.