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Identity crisis for India's eunuchs
Asia Times ^ | Jan 3, 2008 | Shuriah Niazi

Posted on 01/05/2008 10:47:12 AM PST by forkinsocket

BHOPAL, India - Local authorities in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh face a perplexing problem. The authenticity of some of the area's eunuchs is in question, and officials claim they're powerless to resolve increasingly violent disputes between the rival - real and fake - factions. Authorities say problems started more than a year ago, but in recent months the situation has deteriorated into street clashes and murder.

In India eunuchs are commonly called hijras and estimates of their numbers range from 50,000 to 5 million. Most earn their

livelihood by the age-old tradition of performing at weddings, baby showers and housewarmings. They are believed to possess supernatural powers and are called on to make blessings in exchange for cash. Today, however, unemployment and poverty have prompted many Indians to dress and act like eunuchs to earn a living. This has resulted in heated controversy between the authentic and the imposters.

The violence in Madhya Pradesh was sparked when fake eunuchs were seen begging on city streets. Shortly thereafter, the group was attacked by real eunuchs. Now and for the past months, fights between the real and fake eunuchs frequently require police intervention. The events culminated when a eunuch named "Rambai" was murdered in broad daylight by three fake eunuchs in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur town.

(Excerpt) Read more at atimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: eunuchs; hindu; identitycrisis; india
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Overwhelmed officials in Madhya Pradesh are considering issuing licenses to distinguish between the real and the fake eunuchs, but progress is proving difficult.
1 posted on 01/05/2008 10:47:12 AM PST by forkinsocket
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To: forkinsocket

Just start a new tradition:Show up at a wedding impersonating a eunuch and you leave as a real one.That should give some of them pause...


2 posted on 01/05/2008 10:51:26 AM PST by Farmer Dean (168 grains of instant conflict resolution)
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To: Farmer Dean

rofl


3 posted on 01/05/2008 10:51:57 AM PST by forkinsocket
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To: forkinsocket
Identity crisis for India's eunuchs
HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Headline of the day.
 
4 posted on 01/05/2008 10:52:01 AM PST by counterpunch (ABH - Anybody But Huckabee)
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To: forkinsocket

It takes stones to go around pretending to be a eunuch .


5 posted on 01/05/2008 10:52:50 AM PST by kbennkc (For those who have fought for it , freedom has a flavor the protected will never know)
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To: forkinsocket

Truthfully, I just don’t know what to do with this story.


6 posted on 01/05/2008 10:53:57 AM PST by M.K. Borders (Be Brave, Be Free. Burn the Card!)
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To: counterpunch
LOL! Seems that the crises had already occurred.


7 posted on 01/05/2008 10:55:17 AM PST by bannie (Jimminy Cricket is hollering, "Beware!!! clintons CHEAT!")
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To: forkinsocket

Finally, an appropriate job for Harry Reid


8 posted on 01/05/2008 10:55:58 AM PST by muir_redwoods (Free Sirhan Sirhan, after all, the bastard who killed Mary Jo Kopechne is walking around free)
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To: forkinsocket; TigerLikesRooster; SJackson; neverdem

What a human tragegy this caste curse is.

The Liberal human rights type organizations with ANY integrity and not mere front groups speak out about this evil, whereas from the evil ones, the silence is deafening.


9 posted on 01/05/2008 10:59:10 AM PST by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
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To: muir_redwoods

Or maybe the Huckster!

He could preach and life a sexless life and live off of others.


10 posted on 01/05/2008 10:59:31 AM PST by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God) .)
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To: muir_redwoods

Or maybe the Huckster!

He could preach and life a sexless life and live off of others.


11 posted on 01/05/2008 10:59:40 AM PST by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God) .)
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To: The Spirit Of Allegiance
I meant to type: tragedy
12 posted on 01/05/2008 10:59:54 AM PST by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
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To: forkinsocket
Photobucket
13 posted on 01/05/2008 11:01:00 AM PST by digger48
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To: kbennkc
It takes stones to go around pretending to be a eunuch .

Pretty much by definition.

14 posted on 01/05/2008 11:01:17 AM PST by ReignOfError
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To: forkinsocket
Asian Crossroad ( azjatyckie skrzyżowanie :) Video
15 posted on 01/05/2008 11:01:35 AM PST by restornu (Teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves ~ Joseph Smith)
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To: forkinsocket

“Surgeon Hitesh Agrawal of Jabalpur’s Victoria Hospital says that his staff cannot give out identity cards and any medical tests would need to be done with consent. The district administration and the doctors are of the same view: How can anyone be pressured to have his or her sex organs examined? “

No consent. No evidence. No eunuch status. Period.

Otherwise, drop your drawers and prove what you claim.


16 posted on 01/05/2008 11:02:29 AM PST by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God) .)
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To: restornu

Reminds me of Israel!


17 posted on 01/05/2008 11:04:34 AM PST by forkinsocket
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To: kbennkc

That is probably the best one liner of all times.


18 posted on 01/05/2008 11:05:53 AM PST by maui_hawaii
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To: forkinsocket
eunuchs... are called on to make blessings in exchange for cash.

In America, the RINO Senatorial eunuchs "bless" their clients with taxpayers' cash in return for votes.

19 posted on 01/05/2008 11:08:15 AM PST by hellbender
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To: digger48
"Good-bye, Testicles" ?!?


20 posted on 01/05/2008 11:08:20 AM PST by dayglored (Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!)
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