Fear of the hijra and their existence: the sad truth of the community and need for change: A case report

Objectives: Hijras are a unique entity in Southeast Asia, representative of the broader transgender community. They have found mention in history and folklore, where they were held in high esteem and enjoyed a societal importance. The period of British rule in India and the subcontinent of Asia was followed by policies and laws which led to their downfall in stature. In the present world, they have been shunned from mainstream society,

Methods: This study consists of two cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder wherein a common theme in the psychopathology was fear of turning into a hijra, using which the author attempts to explore the lifestyle of an erstwhile powerful community and offers ways to improve their condition.

Results: The common theme in the psychopathology of the two patients appears to be deep-rooted apprehensions of turning into a hijra. They both described that if faced with their dreaded situation they would have to leave their homes and lead an isolated existence with an inability of copulate as a eunuch. They were also of the opinion that they had been cursed by the eunuchs themselves, who were angry at not receiving help and support from them in distress. This shows that despite increased awareness and level of education (both clients were graduates) the patients had a sense of fear and ignorance about the eunuch community.

Conclusions: It is important to frame laws and spread awareness about non-binary genders to help sensitize the society about the identity and way of the living of eunuchs in the community. Steps should be taken so that they are able to receive the necessities of life and enjoy community participation and freedom like others in this current world.