Eunuchs plan to become political force
Eunuchs in India are planning to become a political force with their own party, says the country's only eunuch MP.
Shabnam Mausi or "Aunt" Shabnam said an application would be brought before the Election Commission of India for national party recognition by the end of the month.
The political party is set to be launched in Jabalpur on the festival of Basant Panchami on January 29.
India's eunuchs, called hijras and thought to number about 500,000, are referred to as "she".
Ms Shabnam refused to disclose the name of the party but said the word eunuch will be included.
Eunuchs have a marked presence in the politics of the central state of Madhya Pradesh with two mayors, one MP (Shabnam) and three senior business executives.
In November, voters of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh state elected Asha Devi, a eunuch, as mayor. Observers had said her victory marked another step toward social acceptance for a community that has been reviled for centuries.
