Maneka Apologises for Calling Transgenders ‘Other Ones’ in LS

Gandhi had used the term ‘other ones’ while speaking on the anti human-trafficking bill.

After addressing the transgender community as ‘other ones’ in the Lok Sabha, Maneka Gandhi apologised for it on Monday, 30 July through a tweet, stating that she was embarrassed at her lack of knowledge.

The controversy broke out earlier on Thursday, 26 July, when the minister of Women and Child Development addressed the transgender community as ‘other ones’, while debating the anti human-trafficking bill.

Although she was quick to correct herself shortly after, and used the term ‘TGs’, her gaffe invited ridicule from MPs in the house.

I sincerely apologise for using the term ‘other ones’ during the debate on the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018, in Lok Sabha. I did not ‘snigger’, I was embarrassed at my own lack of knowledge.

— Maneka Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) July 30, 2018

In a two-part tweet, Gandhi stated that she was not aware of the official terminology for the transgender community, and in future will use the term ‘TGs’ to refer to them.

I was not aware of the official terminology for the transgender community. In future, all official communication will use the term TGs. I would like to assure that the #AntiTraffickingBill2018 is gender neutral and provides protection to the aggrieved.

— Maneka Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) July 30, 2018

The minister’s remark drew the ire of the transgender community, who called her out on Twitter and demanded an apology.

Meera Sanghamitra, a transwoman and human-rights activist criticised Gandhi stating “We are not other ones or your pets.”

. @Manekagandhibjp We are #NotOtherOnes or your pets. We are equally human, equal citizens. APOLOGIZE to the entire transgender community NOW, for your extremely derogatory, insenstive reference and gesture. This does not behove a Cabinet Minister! Appalled, Anguished, Ashamed ! pic.twitter.com/v9uPwm8VEj

— Meera Sanghamitra (@meeracomposes) July 27, 2018

While Sanghamitra stated that she felt appalled, anguished and ashamed, others called it a brazen display of ignorance.

This is absolutely appalling and upsetting. Other ones?! Very appalled by this brazen display of ignorance, sense of othering and disrespect. #NotOtherOnes https://t.co/yVEFeVcyjl

— Kirthi (@kirthijayakumar) July 28, 2018

@Manekagandhibjp where is ur all senses lost? r u out of ur mind madam!! or ur all sympathies limited to non human animals only?
whats the reference the other ones? disgusting. we are all equal citizens of this country. shame of you. demanding apology immediately#NotOtherOnes https://t.co/Y2VLIIcd6a

— krushik av (@KrishKrushik) July 28, 2018

Anindya Hajra, founder of Pratyay Gender Trust, an organisation that aims at empowering transgender women, said on Facebook,

“...The dignity that we are denied in our lives and in our deaths – you endorsed it all Madam Minister – you stamped it approvingly with your disparaging body language, your uneasy banter and that face you made, trying to hide the mockery that came instinctively to you.”

Anindya Hajra, Founder, Pratyay Gender Trust

In a separate incident, The Hindu reported that the National Network for Sex Workers (NNSW) hit out at Maneka Gandhi for ‘belittling’ them during the discussion on anti-human trafficking bill.

The NNSW stated that the Union Minister’s unpleasant remarks reinforced the stigma faced by sex workers.

The organisation referred to Gandhi’s remark on Thursday, when she saidd “I am going to be wicked….During the consultation on the Bill, we received comments from two groups – one representing the victims and the other representing sex workers. Dr Tharoor represents the second group.”

(With inputs from The Hindu)