A 21-year-old eunuch, Sushama Vibhute, intends to contest the upcoming civic election in Pune.
A 21-year-old eunuch, Sushama Vibhute, intends to contest the upcoming civic election in Pune. "Yes, I am contesting the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) election and my decision on where to file the nomination papers from shall be finalised in the next 15 days," said Vibhute, who intends to fight the poll under the banner of Sangharsha Samiti, Pune.
Right to vote: Sushama Vibhute, (sitting third from left) with her
supporters at Tadiwala Road slums. Pic/Ishan Ghosh
Born and brought up at Bhim Sanghatana slums at Tadiwala Road, Vibhute is a Std VI passout. "Sangharsha Samiti is a nationwide organisation working for eunuchs and there are six to seven candidates who have earlier contested the elections in Delhi and UP," said Vibhute. "We are basically a minority people and nobody, not a single political party, listens to us or tries to solve our issues. Fortunately, I am getting much support from many organisations from this ward and therefore my decision to contest is firm."
There are over 3,000 eunuchs in the city and Vibhute has contacted many of them to seek their support.
Panna Gabrial, a eunuch from Dhamdhere Vasti in Budhwar Peth, and an activist from Samvedana, said in a democracy anybody could contest an election.
"If Vibhute comes to me for support, I shall certainly stand by this cause," Gabrial said. Kajal Guru, a eunuch from Ahmadnagar, also supported Vibhute.
May contest from open ward
Shushma Vibhute has not yet finalised the electoral ward for the election, but is inclined to contest from Ward Number 22, which comes under the open category. "I can also contest the election from the ward reserved for women. The final decision on whether to contest the election from an open or a women's ward shall be taken soon," said Vibhute.
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