Transgender community split over Rs 5,100 Badhai cap – Pioneer Edge | Uttarakhand News in English | Dehradun News Today| News Uttarakhand | Uttarakhand latest news
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The transgender community in Dehradun appears divided over the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun’s recent decision to cap badhai at Rs 5,100, with one section backing the move and another preparing to challenge it legally.
Addressing the media here on Tuesday, a group from the community supported the proposal. Transgender Aditi Sharma said that it would help regulate collections and address frequent complaints from residents about excessive demands during ceremonies such as weddings and childbirth. “On occasions like childbirth and marriage, people present us sums ranging from Rs 1,100 to Rs 5,100, which we readily accept. If anybody demands exorbitant sums like Rs 31,000 or Rs 51,000, the people should call 112 to seek assistance,” she said.
The proposal, moved by councillor Amita Singh in the recent MCD board meeting, received broad support from councillors. It sought to fix an upper limit on the customary amount collected as badhai.
However, the decision has not found unanimous acceptance within the community. Another faction has opposed the cap, arguing that badhai is a long-standing tradition and a primary source of livelihood. The opposing faction is being led by Rajni Rawat, who said that she may approach the High Court against the decision.
Dehradun isn’t the first city to cap it. In an order dated April 15, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court observed that collecting money in the name of “badhai” or “jajmani” does not qualify as a fundamental right and could fall under unlawful collection if done without legal backing.
Advocate Shiva Verma said that the court’s observation may influence any challenge to the Dehradun decision. While the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019 safeguards rights and prohibits discrimination, it does not recognise the collection of badhai as a legal entitlement.
