Let’s cut the crap and dive straight into it—transphobia in Northern India is an ugly reality. But is it just a Northern India issue? Or is it more widespread? If you’ve ever thought Northern India might have a special claim on this hate, let’s break it down.
What’s the Scene in Northern India?
First off, Northern India is drowning in old-school, patriarchal BS that’s been choking society for generations. Here, anything that doesn’t fit into their rigid mold of ‘man’ or ‘woman’ is treated like a disease. The cultural norms are so backward that they can’t even see beyond their binary gender roles. If you’re not a macho dude or a delicate lady, society shoves you into a box marked ‘freak.’
Let’s not forget how the Manusmriti, the ancient Hindu text, laid down the foundations for a patriarchal society that’s still followed by many in Northern India. This text glorifies male superiority and sets strict roles for women, completely dismissing any idea of gender fluidity. You can bet that this kind of ancient dogma plays a big role in how people in this region see anything that doesn’t fit their “man-woman” binary.
And let’s not even get started on the caste system. In Northern India, if you’re born into a low caste, you’re already screwed. Add being transgender to the mix, and you’re basically invisible. People will step on you, abuse you, and no one will bat an eye. This region loves to cling to its caste and class divisions like they’re holy scriptures, making life hell for anyone who doesn’t ‘belong.’
Digging into History
India wasn’t always like this. Go back to the pre-colonial era, and you’ll see that gender fluidity wasn’t just accepted—it was respected. The Hijra community had a significant role in society, with historical roots stretching back centuries. They were considered semi-divine, blessed with powers to give and curse fertility, and were even part of royal courts. The Mughal empire, for instance, held Hijras in high esteem, giving them positions of power and trust.
But then the British came along with their Victorian-era prudishness and fucked everything up. They slapped laws on the Hijras, labeling them as criminals under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871. The British couldn’t stomach the idea of a gender-fluid community holding such a significant place in society. So, they did what colonizers do best—they destroyed it. Since then, society’s gone downhill, especially in Northern India where colonial legacies seem to have stuck around like a bad smell.
The Realities of Northern India’s Social Dynamics
Caste and class are the double-edged swords that Northern India wields against transgender people. Here’s the ugly truth: if you’re trans and from a lower caste, society’s going to make sure you stay at the bottom of the barrel. The intersection of caste, class, and gender is like a death sentence—especially in rural areas where traditional values are enforced with an iron fist. Even in urban areas, where you’d expect more openness, the so-called ‘modern’ society barely scratches the surface of acceptance. The privileged might get away with a bit more freedom, but if you’re poor and trans? Forget about it.
Let’s talk numbers. According to a study by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in 2018, 92% of transgender individuals in India are deprived of the right to participate in any form of economic activity. This is even worse in the Northern regions, where the intersections of caste and class make it nearly impossible for transgender individuals to escape poverty. They’re often pushed into begging or sex work, not out of choice, but out of sheer necessity (India Today).
Media and Its Toxic Influence
Let’s talk about how Northern India’s media plays a role in all this. For decades, transgender people were nothing more than comic relief or horror show villains in movies. Bollywood, the so-called ‘culture machine’ of India, did more harm than good. They made sure everyone thought of trans people as weirdos or criminals. And while there’s been a slow change—thanks to a few progressive films—the damage is done. Media in Northern India has done a stellar job of keeping transphobia alive and kicking.
Remember the movie Sadak? The film portrayed a transgender woman as the main villain, reinforcing the idea that trans people are dangerous and not to be trusted. This was not an isolated incident; Bollywood has a long history of such portrayals. Even today, while there are more positive representations, the mainstream media has a long way to go in undoing the decades of harm it has caused.
The Law: A Double-Edged Sword
India’s legal system has tried to clean up its act. The 2014 NALSA judgment was a step in the right direction, giving transgender people the right to self-identify. But laws are just words on paper if no one bothers to enforce them. In Northern India, legal protection for trans people is more of a suggestion than a mandate. Sure, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 was a big deal, but let’s be real—laws don’t mean jack if society doesn’t change. Trans people still face discrimination everywhere from hospitals to police stations. Legal recognition means nothing if you’re treated like dirt by everyone around you.
Take the case of Sonam, a transgender woman from Uttar Pradesh. Despite the NALSA judgment, she was denied entry into a temple, harassed by the police, and beaten by a mob. The law was on her side, but society wasn’t. And that’s the problem—laws can only do so much in a society that refuses to accept change.
BJP, Sanghis, and the Aryan Supremacy Complex
Let’s not pretend politics doesn’t play a role here. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its cronies, the Sangh Parivar, have done more to fuel hate and division in India than any other political force. They’re obsessed with the idea of a ‘pure’ Hindu nation, which doesn’t leave much room for diversity—especially not for transgender people. They promote this Aryan supremacy bullshit that’s all about maintaining a rigid social order, where everyone knows their place. If you step out of line—if you’re not a straight, upper-caste Hindu—they’ll make sure you suffer.
Remember the 2018 controversy when BJP leaders openly supported a law that would have made it mandatory for transgender people to undergo a ‘screening process’ before they could be recognized as their identified gender? It was nothing short of a modern-day witch hunt, and it sparked outrage across the country. But it showed the true colors of the BJP and its affiliates—they want control, and they’ll use any means necessary to get it.
And then there’s the Sangh Parivar, who are just as bad, if not worse. They’ve got this twisted idea that India needs to return to some mythical ‘golden age’ where caste hierarchies and gender roles were rigidly enforced. They see the LGBTQ+ community as a threat to their vision of an Aryan, Brahmin-dominated society. They’re not just transphobic—they’re racist, casteist, and misogynistic. And they’re hell-bent on dragging the country back into the dark ages.
North vs. South: Is It Any Better Down South?
Now, let’s compare. Southern India isn’t perfect, but they’re miles ahead in some areas. Tamil Nadu, for instance, was the first state to set up a transgender welfare board. That’s progress. They’ve even got a few politicians and activists who are trans, which is a far cry from Northern India’s token gestures. But don’t get too comfortable—transphobia exists in the South too. It’s just that Northern India seems to wear its hate more openly, like a badge of honor.
In Tamil Nadu, for example, the government introduced a ‘third gender’ category in all government forms as early as 2008. They’ve also provided housing and employment opportunities specifically for transgender individuals. This doesn’t mean Southern India is a utopia for trans people, but it does show that progress is possible when the government actually gives a damn. Compare this to Northern India, where progress is slower than a snail on tranquilizers.
Conclusion: Is Northern India to Blame?
So, is transphobia a Northern India-fueled concept? Not entirely. It’s a national problem, but Northern India sure as hell isn’t helping. The region’s deep-rooted patriarchy, caste obsession, and backward cultural norms have made it a breeding ground for transphobia. But let’s not let the rest of the country off the hook—transphobia is alive and well across India. The difference is, Northern India is just louder about it.
The only way out of this mess is to call it what it is—hate, plain and simple. Society needs a reality check, not just in Northern India, but everywhere. Laws need to be enforced, not just written. Media needs to portray transgender people as human beings, not freak shows. And society? Well, society needs to pull its head out of its ass and start treating everyone with the respect they deserve.
Join the conversation, but don’t just talk—act. Transphobia isn’t going to disappear on its own, and ignoring it sure as hell isn’t the answer. It’s time to confront the issue head-on, whether you’re in Northern India or anywhere else. Because if we don’t, we’re just as complicit as the ones spreading the hate.