Odd Couple

Bihar never ceases to surprise. When you talk about sexuality issues, the week’s unusal story is about a Muslim man married who a Hindu Hijra [transegender] in a Bihar court.
Mohammad Salim married eunuch Jaygopal Malakar in Chapra district civil court in the presence of several people including two legal witnesses last Tuesday. This is Salim's second marriage.
According to advocate Jungbahadur Singh, Salim in his affidavit prepared at the notary said he married Jaygopal Malakar, a dancer in his music band with the approval of his first wife. Salim is father of a two-year-old girl, born from his marriage to Sanjida Khatoon.
In her affidavit Jaygopal Malakar said she married Salim on her own will. "Salim's parents and his wife accepted me as second wife," Malakar said. Salim and Malakar said they would also solemnise the marriage in keeping with Muslim rituals soon. Singh said the couple met two years ago and fell in love with each other.
This has expectedly, brought in a lot of flak and opposition from the Moslem clergy who say that the marriage is un-islamic.
Mihammed Salim and Jaygopal are true trailblazers. Human and sexuality rights activists should watch this story and its aftermath carefully. Will they be left in peace or will the media publicity destroy them?