Where do they belong?

Black. White. Male. Female. Normal. Physically disadvantaged. We love classifying everything and everyone in sight into sections – either here or there. Nowhere in between. But in an increasingly diverse world, perhaps there’s a need for us to revisit our segregations and reclassify them.

Starting with train compartments. Indian train compartments are either women’s or general (no, not men’s, women CAN travel in these. That they could be squished and molested by a leching crowd of men is a different story) with a few for vendors and the handicapped.

There was this sadhu on the platform today - saffron clothing, vermilion paste smeared on his forehead. His hair was matted and long and he carried the typical lota and staff in his hand. As he went on the platform, he was hurling invectives at one and all. Cursing because he had been pushed out of the more than crowded general compartment. No one wanted a dirty, soiled sadhu amidst their midst. As it is there was just about enough space to keep a toe, why bother with one more whole body. He kept shouting and finally climbed into the women’s compartment. It was no less packed but at least the women made way for him despite him being a male and therefore, not really allowed in the compartment.

The other passenger who got in a few minutes later was even more unwelcome. A eunuch. A transvestite dressed like a woman is a flashy sari, gajra in his, err, her hair, lipstick, rouge, kohl – the works. Once again, the Indian Railways have failed to classify where these passengers should travel. They are obviously not welcome in the men’s. But again, while they may be dressed as women they aren’t. The eunuch hurriedly got in and crossed the length of the compartment as women moved away so as not to touch him. He squatted in the corner and stared out, shunning the stares and disapproving looks.

Where do these people travel? They too are a part of our society, have been for ages. At one time, they were respected and placed on a pedestal by even our gods. Yet today, they are so despicable that they are not even worthy of designated traveling sections for them. Why should they have to suffer brickbats and ostracism when they pay an equal fare, walk the same earth, soak the same sun as us?

Isn’t it time to rethink the classes in our so called united masses?