Bihar: Stranger than fiction

Sour grapes?

Three sex workers in Muzaffarpur, about 70 km from Patna were declared untouchable in a meeting convened on Saturday by the self proclaimed community chief Rani Begum, who was defeated in the civic bodies elections that concluded last week. She was elected ward councillor in the last elections held in 2002.
Rani Begum reportedly appealed to the community members not to visit the three boycotted sex workers even in event of a death in their families.
Officials said the three sex workers who were facing social boycott approached the district administration Monday for help. The District Magistrate Vinay Kumar said, 'I advised them to file a police complaint against those who decided to impose the boycott'.
The socially boycotted sex workers have sent a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission and are planning to file a complaint in the court.

This picture showa a 'launda' or dancing boy [traditional male sex worker] at a Bihari village wedding. Certain castes consider eunuchs, effeminate males, or sex workers 'auspicious' and they have a rtiual function at weddings.