The recent move of the state government to bring eunuchs under Other Backward Classes (OBCs) may not turn their lives around wholly so long as the social stigma remains.

Naina, a eunuch now in her mid-40s, had to drop out of an MBBS course. Begging with her on the city’s streets are a research scholar and a commerce graduate. They all accompany some eunuchs living in a rented house in Patna City’s Alamganj area.

Naina’s peers — Saloni and Chandani — claimed that the former had enrolled into a medical college in Delhi. “But she left midway as students began teasing her once they got to know she was a eunuch. She left the institute and joined a group of eunuchs before moving to Patna a decade ago. Naina speaks English fluently as her basic education took place at a Delhi-based convent school. But she is shy and introvert now,” said Saloni. Naina was hesitant. She opened up after much prodding. “I come from an affluent family. My father is a doctor and my mother a teacher. I did a BCom from Kirorimal College, Delhi, after my dreams to become a doctor were shattered. I don’t want to recall the trauma I underwent while pursing MBBS in Delhi in 1997-98,” she said. It is difficult for her to survive outside her community. “We are looked down upon. The very thought of a public sector job makes me nervous. For eunuchs, it would be difficult to continue in a job anywhere,” she said.

Naina’s peer Reshma from Kaimur district is doing her PhD in chemistry from Patna University. “She is a bright student and wants to pursue higher studies. We do not want her to beg,” said Raj Kumari alias Lalan, a senior leader of eunuchs.

Suman, Gautam and Abina are equally qualified. Suman graduated in history from Indira Gandhi National Open University and Gautam in commerce from Magadh University, Bodhgaya. Abina is doing her postgraduation through distance learning. “We want to lead a normal life. But that’s a dream,” Abina said.

Chandani, a Darbhanga resident, left her ancestral home four decades ago but gets to meet her parents. “My father is with the Bihar Homeguards and my mother a government school teacher. They live in Patna. At times I go to meet them. But I’m not welcome at the home of my brothers — one a doctor and the other an engineer,” she said. A social welfare department survey said there were over 4,000 eunuchs in Bihar. Dinesh Rai, who works for their welfare, said it could be 10 times more.

On September 9 this year, the Bihar government brought eunuchs and transgenders under the third gender and decided to include them in Annexure II, giving them the benefits of reservation in government jobs. Raj Kumari said the government’s recent decision has kindled hope among eunuchs. “At least the qualified ones will get jobs,” she said. A Supreme Court judgment in April 2014 recognised eunuchs and transgenders as a third gender and said they should get admission into educational institutions, be treated as OBCs and given jobs.

Kali Hijra would have benefited from the order. Though elected ward councillor from Gardanibagh area, Kali was debarred from contesting the election a second time for being a transgender. Kali died about four months ago.

Raj Kumari, who unsuccessfully contested local body elections from ward No. 85 in Patna, said she raised the issue of providing accommodation to eunuchs at a meeting convened by social welfare department principal secretary Amarjeet Sinha on August 25.