PURNIMA BISHT | Dehradun
Residents of Dehradun have yet again voiced concerns over alleged extortion by eunuchs, who demand money on occasions such as childbirth, weddings and housewarming ceremonies. Many claim that these demands have become unreasonable, often amounting to sums that an average family struggles to afford. Some residents allege that eunuchs use abusive language, stage protests inside homes and exert psychological pressure to force people into paying them. The issue was recently raised by councillors in the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) board meeting, where the members proposed fixing an amount that could be given to eunuchs on special occasions to prevent harassment. Some councillors even claimed that eunuchs came to their homes demanding hefty amounts after they won elections. However, the proposal has elicited mixed reactions from the people of Dehradun. While many support the idea of a fixed amount, others argue that enforcing such a rule would compel those unwilling to pay and prevent eunuchs from finding independent means of livelihood. A Karnpur resident Govind Naithani (56) recounted his experience, stating that when his daughter got married and later when his grandson was born, eunuchs demanded Rs one lakh on both occasions. “I was initially against giving them any money but my mother insisted, fearing that refusal would bring bad luck to our family. After a prolonged negotiation, I paid Rs 20,000 for the wedding and Rs 12,000 for the birth of my grandson. It felt like throwing money down the drain,” he said. Another resident Priyanka Gusain shared how eunuchs harassed her family after her wedding. “When I returned home, they demanded Rs 80,000 along with a 50-kilogramme bag of rice and other ration items. When I refused and instead offered them sweets and Rs 2,100, they rejected it outright and began pressuring my parents. When I stood firm, they started abusing and cursing me and my husband, which terrified my mother and she started crying. I understand their financial struggles but it does not justify extortion and harassment,” she said. Naresh Singh from Balawala also stated that people should not be compelled to give eunuchs money at all and the government should instead work towards eliminating old superstitions that a eunuch’s curse brings bad luck. He said, “My parents gave Rs 30,000 to eunuchs when my son was born, despite not being in a financial position to do so. They even took a loan from our neighbours as I was in Delhi at that time, fearing repercussions if they refused to pay.” He questioned why the MCD needs to regulate payments instead of working on long-term solutions to support eunuchs in sustainable ways. Leela Thapa from Seemadwar alleged that eunuchs have an organised network, with informants in every neighbourhood who tip them off about events like weddings, childbirth or even when someone secures a good job. These informants, she claimed, also advise eunuchs on how much a particular family can afford to pay and take a cut from the collections. She said, “I remember how, 15 to 20 years ago, eunuchs would visit only for significant occasions like a son’s wedding or a child’s birth and were more considerate of a family’s financial situation. They used to accept whatever a family can offer with love and gratitude. But now, most eunuchs demand large sums without considering whether a family can afford it.” She stressed that rather than forcing people to pay, eunuchs should be encouraged to seek legitimate employment.
