Transwoman seeks permission for mercy killing

Vasudha Zora

Mysuru

 In a heart-breaking incident, a 29-year-old transwoman Rihana Irfan from Madikeri has sought permission for Euthanasia from the District Collector of Coorg, as she is unable to lead a life of dignity.

Rihana came to Bengaluru close to eight years ago, after relocating from Mysuru, Madikeri and her hometown Kozhikode in Kerala in search of job opportunities. Despite applying in various institutions, she got rejected for the sole reason of her assigned gender.

 She has completed her preuniversity education and applied for graduation in Coorg, but she had to call it quits due to persistent harassment by other students.

She also underwent gender reassignment surgery and had to shell out Rs 3 lakh for the purpose.

However, even that was of little help and now she begs on the streets for a living. Due to lack of housing options and constantly being denied rented accommodation, she lives in a lodge based in Kushalnagar where most of her daily income, which ranges between Rs 800 and Rs 1000, gets spent.

She has to travel 25 kilometres everyday by hook or by crook in order to pay for her accommodation and food. “Two weeks ago, I wrote to the authorities to fix the date of Euthanasia as I am unable to bear the mental suffering and humiliation,” Rihana said.

“I had petitioned the local district administration several times to help me. All I had sought was a place in a government shelter where I could stay and earn a living with dignity. I went to them more than five times. Each time I was insulted and turned away. I live hand to mouth literally and I have to work every single day even if I am unwell. That is what I have decided that I had had enough of this life and sent in my application for euthanasia. This too was rejected by the officer,” Rihana was quoted saying.

As of now her prior attempts to getting euthanasia sanctioned has been denied, she stays adamant on getting it sanctioned due to the lack of respect and opportunities in society for third-gender persons.

Speaking to News Trail, Akkai Padmashali, a leading transgender activist, observed that merely introducing schemes with no follow up action is not going to help the transgender community. “Karnataka government was the first state to reserve jobs for third gender persons, but no steps have been taken by the authorities to make it happen.

I strongly condemn the incident where a person has to seek mercy killing for failing to sustain life. I hope the government takes measures to implement what they have promised the community,” she said