Kathmandu, Aug 24: Gaijatra, a festival traditionally observed to commemorate deceased loved ones by the Newar community in the Kathmandu Valley, has expanded its significance for the sexual and gender minorities. For over two decades, the community has been observing the festival as a symbol of solidarity and unity. Sunil Babu Pant, Asia’s first openly gay former parliamentarian of Nepal, has played an important role in this regard.
The festival, originally rooted in the Kathmandu Valley, is now observed in cities like Chitwan, Pokhara and other cities outside the Kathmandu Valley, and Thamel, Basantapur, and Kirtapur in the Valley.
Samarpan Savya Samaj Nepal and Mayako Pahichan Nepal (MKPN) jointly organised a Gaijatra celebration to mark the occasion this year. Samarpan Nepal has been working to educate the children of the third gender individuals, while MKPN works for the SGM rights.
The celebration featured a procession with participants carrying lit candles, singing and dancing.
The rally went through Bagbhairav of Kirtipur to Umamaheshwor temple with the SGM community members demanding their inclusion in state bodies. They prayed for the eternal peace of the deceased community members throughout the year while condemning the mistreatment faced by the SGM community.
The state should understand and guarantee rights, and the unique needs of the community, said Dipak Maharjan, a third gender activist. “We believe that if the state understands us, the international community will follow suit. Everyone should work together to make the society better.”
MKPN Vice President Debendra Bahadur Khatri said that the event aims to raise awareness about the political inclusion of SGMs. “The government has yet to incorporate the community in areas like politics, education, and health,” he lamented.
He also highlighted the economic challenges faced by the SGM community with many of them forced into informal jobs like the flesh trade due to a lack of formal income sources.
The festival serves as a planform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the SGM community and advocate for their equal rights and inclusion, he said.
