DHAKA, June 5, 2025, (BSS) - Kamrul was sat on a bus in city’s Mirpur-10 area languishing in huge traffic jam making him be late to enter his office as he had an urgent meeting with foreign merchandisers. At this moment, suddenly, a group of transgender people get on the bus and demanded money. Kamrul gave them Taka 10. But, they wanted more money, making Kamrul anger leading him to beat up those people.

It was not the lone incident in the city or other places of the country. The transgender community, well known as ‘hizra’, often harassed people. Even, they randomly go to the houses having newborn baby or wedding ceremony is taking place to realise money which many people calls like 'extortion’. 

Thirty-three-year-old Pavel said, “We’ve no any other profession. From our childhood, we’ve been detached from our family. From the very beginning we’ve learnt begging. But, the common people told it ‘extortion’.”

The transgender community wants to be part of mainstream development with the help of the state. They also want to create example before the society despite social attitude.

For this, they need only government’s help or employment opportunity. They were forced to go astray due to the non-cooperation from their own family, social inequality and negative attitude and due to lack of government facilities.

Pavel, who is from Keraniganj of Dhaka, is now selling ‘pan and cigarettes’ at different places in Dhaka city. He is bearing daily expenses of his family with the money from the business. Even, his one sister and one brother are in education.

Every member of his family is normal. But Pavel is different. Once, he felt sorrow and thought that why the ‘Lord’ did it with his. But, now he accepts his destiny and said ‘what has happened . . . all is good’. 

Pavel said he was also involved in ‘hijra profession’ as he didn’t find any scope of earning money in proper way. At the age 24, he took some loan from a person from his area and started his small business.

Pavel said, in the beginning, it was not so easy to sell. Many people didn’t want to buy. They (people) thought that he (Pavel) would demand money, he said, adding, but, later, their mentality and attitude have been changed and his selling has increased gradually.

He said, “Now, I’m bearing all my family expenses. There are my mother, a sister and a brother in my family. My sister and brother are now going to college."

Like Pavel, Thirty-five-year-old Prity’s story is almost same. She was born at Barishal city. After her birth, the family members handed over her to a transgender community.

After that, she lived with them. They (transgender community) gave her education. At the age of 16, Prity was also involved with their profession.

One day, Prity thought that their profession was not good. She tried to give up the profession. With the help of her elder sister, she started a job at an NGO. Now, Prity is bearing her family expenses with her income.

Prity said it is now normal. “My own family accept me. I also help them to bear family costs. I also accept everything and try to live with happiness.”

She said, “Along with the state, every solvent person should come forward to help the community. Thus, they (transgender) would play pivotal role in the society. Even, they can set an example before the society,” Prity added.