Shabnam Mausi
Shabnam Bano | |
|---|---|
| Member of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 2000–2003 | |
| Preceded by | Krishnapal Singh |
| Succeeded by | Chhote Lal Sarawagi (Khuddi Bhaiya) |
| Constituency | Sohagpur Assembly constituency |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Jeeti Jitayi Politics Independent |
| Nickname | Mausi |
Shabnam "Mausi" Bano ("Mausi" being Hindi for "Auntie") is an Indian politician and hijra activist. She became the first transgender person to be elected to public office in India, as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.[1] She was an elected member of the Madhya Pradesh State Legislative Assembly from 2000 to 2003, after winning a by-election.[2]
Early life
She was born visibly intersex[3][4] and was given a masculine name. Her father, a police superintendent, gave her away shortly after she was born to protect his own social image.[5]
She attended only two years of primary schooling but learned 12 languages during her travels. She is a trained classical dancer, and has played bit roles in films.[5]
Political career
Shabnam Mausi was elected in a by-election from the Sohagpur Assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh state's Shahdol-Anuppur district.[6] Hijras were granted voting rights in 1994 in India[7]. As a member of the Legislative Assembly, her agenda included fighting corruption, unemployment, poverty, and hunger, as well as speaking out against discrimination against transgender people, hijras, eunuchs, cross-dressers and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.[8][9] She lost re-election to the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate in the 2003 Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly election, placing 11th.[10]
In 2003, hijras in Madhya Pradesh established their own political party called "Jeeti Jitayi Politics" (JJP), which literally means 'politics that has already been won'.[11] The party released an eight-page manifesto to outline its political differences from the mainstream.
Popular culture and legacy
In 2005, a fiction feature film titled Shabnam Mausi was made about her life. It was directed by Yogesh Bharadwaj, and the role of Shabnam Mausi was played by Ashutosh Rana.[12]
Although she is no longer in public office, Shabnam Mausi continues to participate actively in AIDS/HIV education with NGOs and gender activists in India.
"We brothers and sisters often face stigma and discrimination because of our sexual orientation and gender identity. Talking openly about AIDS helps us understand each other!" - Shabnam Mausi[5]
Shabnam Mausi inspired many transgender people in India to take up politics and participate in 'mainstream activities' in India, giving up their traditional roles as dancers, prostitutes, and beggars, living on the fringes of Indian society; for example, they sometimes attend weddings or the house of a newborn child, offering services to ward off bad luck.[13] In recent years, however, she has had legal issues.[14]
References
- ^ "Telangana assembly elections 2018: Chandramukhi eyes Goshamahal glory, ready for tryst with 1st transgender party". The Times of India. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- ^ "Reservation only way to help fight discrimination: Shabnam Mausi". The Times of India. 6 February 2016. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ Zaal, Grote (26 May 2007). "Shabnam Mousi – Be Aware: Different Starting Time". Netherlands Transgender Film Festival 2007. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ Kalra, Sanjay (28 August 2016). "The Eunuchs of India: An Endocrine Eye Opener". Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 16 (3): 377–380. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.95676. PMC 3354843. PMID 22629502 – via PubMed.
- ^ a b c India TV News Desk (17 July 2014). "Shabnam Mausi-India's first eunuch to become an MLA". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ "Shabnam". The Asian Age. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ "Sexual minorities given right to vote in India's elections". UN News. 6 May 2014. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30159462.ece
- ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/former-eunuch-mla-curses-congress-to-stay-out-of-power-for-another-15-yrs/articleshow/65085430.cms
- ^ https://www.indiavotes.com/vidhan-sabha-details/2003/madhya-pradesh-[2000-onwards]/sohagpur/59/25885/172
- ^ "Our election promise?". DNA India. 29 April 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ Kulkarni, Ronjita (March 2002). "Meet Shabnam Mausi". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ Nazir, Tashafi (26 January 2022). "Know About Shabnam Mausi, India's First Successful Transgender Politician". thelogicalindian.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ https://indianexpress.com/article/india/shabnam-mausi-indias-first-transgender-mla-booked-model-code-violation-9035301/