Himangi Sakhi, declared candidate from Varanasi for the All India Hindu Assembly and chief of the transgender council, proclaims standing against PM Modi like Shikhandi. Reaching Varanasi, she emphasized her electoral fight is to champion the rights of transgenders.
The leader of the transgender council expressed their prime concern: ensuring transgenders receive their rightful place in society, access to education, and reservation of seats in legislative bodies from the assembly to parliament. She also imparted advice to seek sanctuary with Rahul Gandhi and advocated for the construction of a temple at the disputed Gyanvapi site, claiming that destruction had replaced a temple with a mosque there.
If there were reserved seats for transgenders in the parliament...
While campaigning in Varanasi, Himangi revealed she was chosen as a Varanasi candidate by the Assembly. She represents the transgender community and asserts that had there been reserved seats for them in parliament, this fight wouldn't be necessary.
Himangi shared that Chakrapani Maharaj of the All India Hindu Assembly provided her with this opportunity. Had the nation's rulers taken similar actions, she would have felt great joy knowing they were advancing in society and having a voice in parliament.
Why aren't transgenders being brought into the mainstream?
They questioned the government's inaction on integrating the transgender community into mainstream society. Despite a decade under Modi's government, the progress of transgenders is still a concern as begging continues in the community's daily struggle.
Her foremost issue highlights the necessity for reservation in the lower and upper houses of parliament exclusively for transgenders. Also, educating and integrating them into society, and initiatives focused on protection and education are on her agenda. If education for transgenders had been prioritized, the harsh reality of begging on the streets could have been avoided.
Himangi compares herself to Shikhandi
Comparing herself to Shikhandi, Himangi Sakhi states she stands as an obstacle in Modi's path. Accepting Shikhandi is inevitable. Referring to PM Modi as the son of Ganga, she remarks that if he can sound the conch, then there is nothing Shikhandi cannot do.
In response to communicating with Rahul Gandhi, Himangi says she does not know him. She questions why she should speak ill of someone she’s not acquainted with, and calls upon PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, and country's rulers to acknowledge and embrace her stance.
The urgent need for Gyanvapi Shiva Temple
She addresses the Gyanvapi issue, asserting the swift resolution and the need for the construction of the Shiva temple at the site. The remains found confirm that the original Kashi Vishweshwar temple was destroyed during Aurangzeb's reign and later converted into a mosque. She insists on the replacement of the mosque with the temple, as archaeological evidence supports this claim.