Indore: Voting is a right that does not discriminate between genders. Exercising their power, transgender community and LGBT community people inked their fingers and hoped to get a government to power that supports their rights and removes stigmas. First transgender of Indore who exercised the right to marry, 32-year-old social worker Jaya Parmaar was welcomed at the booth by applying vermilion on forehead and gifting traditional marigold flowers.
Jaya tied the knot with Juinad Khan on Valentine’s Day and exercised her right to marry since abolition of Section 377 by the Supreme Court. Becoming among first in the community to vote as well, Jaya said, “We must exercise our rights and become responsible citizens so that we can get our other rights and fight for justice.”
Following her example, other community members joined in and voted for better India. “We want change and we want acceptance from people of our country, which is possible only in democracy,” 36-year-old project manager Sandhiya Ghawari said after inking her finger. She added that voting is an essential right and responsibility.
“If we don’t exercise our right and fulfil responsibility, then we are revoking ourselves the right to have a better government and question its decisions,” Sandhiya said. “It is our right to live a respected life and actions supporting our rights, not only help us live respected lives, it brings acceptances and love from family,” 36-year-old social worker Mahi Atle said.
Mahi voted with her family and felt hopeful. “I hope that we will have right to work, live a respected life and not be harassed for being a little different with the elected government,” Mahi said. An activist fighting for LGBT rights, Swapnil Vilekar said, “In order to remove discrimination between communities, we must act as responsible citizens and so we must start by voting.
