Transindia (2015)

• 71%
• 2015
• Documentary
• Meera Darji
• Vanita Chavda
• Sania Singh
• Janvide Saniade Pavaria

TRANSINDIA is a moving documentary exploring the Transgender community (Hijras) in Ahmedabad, India. Many years ago, in India, Mughal Empire very much accepted Hijras in society, they earned a good sense of respect and were found in ancient Hindu scriptures. However, when the British colonised India in the 18th Century, the British Raj introduced a new law. Section 26 of The Criminal Tribes Act 1871 (Act XXVII) classified all Hijras as criminals, stating 'any Eunuch so registered who appears, dressed or ornamented like a woman, in a public street or place, or who dances or plays music, or any public exhibition, may be arrested without warrant, and shall be punished with imprisonment to two years, or with a fine, or with both.' The 1871 Act was repealed in 1952, where the Indian Government replaced it with the Habitual Offenders Act, hence releasing lists of Eunuchs. Although the Indian Supreme Court recently recognised the Transgenders as an official 'Third Gender', negligence in society still remains. Since the criminalisation of Hijras, they have gradually become ostracised and are Intuitionally disenfranchised by society. Transindia aims takes you on a journey through their eyes, capturing a real perspective on the Hijra community, hoping to make a positive light on the current issues.