SOCIO LEGAL STATUS OF TRANSGENDER IN INDIA

Abstract

In present days the modern Indian society talks about the rights and the position of the Transgender persons. Where-as the Transgender people already occupied an important status in the ancient and medieval Indian society. According to the Rig Veda in Hindu mythology three types of gender had been considered Male that is Purus, Female that is Prakriti and Third gender that is Tritiya Prakriti. Transgender characters hold significant roles in some of the most important texts of Hinduism, including the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. In recent times, the Third gender people are struggling to be a part of the civil society, and hence, the government of India implemented new polices and schemes for the social protection and welfare schemes for the Third gender community. Transgender community includes Hijras, Eunuchs, Kothis, Aravanis, Jogappas, Shiv - Shakti etc. who have been a part of Indian society for centuries.