On November 17, people’s eye caught attention to a ‘viral’ video released on TikTok. In the video, a person deliberately harasses Nikisha Shrestha, saying derogatory words.
Nikisha Shrestha, originally ‘Nikesh,’ is a dancer and a video creator. Recently, Shrestha was viral relating to her behavior and personality. Nikisha Shrestha pictures herself as a transwoman, although she is biologically a male.
@NepalPoliceHQ Please arrest these harassers. Heartbreaking and infuriating to watch. Nikisha deserves to live a life of dignity. This is too much. pic.twitter.com/AUdtCUcXbc
— Samriddhi Rai (@samriddhirai13) November 17, 2020
However, this viral video is not only an utter humiliation for a person. But this is disrespectful behavior towards the whole LGBTIQ community. The sick mentality of some ‘heterosexual’ people towards the LGBTIQ can be seen in the video.
Rise of Intolerance
Social discrimination is not a new thing for the LGBTIQ community. But these days, the hatred is on the rise. 22 years old, Ajita Bhujel, a transwoman, was raped and killed on January 19, 2020.
She did not find any job, so she was forced to do sex work to keep her family alive. Sadly, she became the victim of rising homophobia. In Nepali society, people easily do not accept LGBTIQ people as part of society.
Ajita Bhujel
According to a study, most Nepali transgender women work as sex workers due to a lack of jobs. Despite having sufficient skills, they are not allowed to work. “I was humiliated in my school, in my college, now I work as a sex worker, and they call me Chhakka.” Said a 28-year-old transwoman to the Kathmandu Tribune.
A 24-year old girl, keeping her identity closed, said, “I became friend with Ajay (made-up name) one year ago. There was nothing wrong between us until I discovered that he was a ‘third’ gender. After that, I decided to discontinue my friendship with him.”
This statement reflects the thoughts over the ‘others. The viral video teasing Nikisha Shrestha is also the result of a sick mentality.
Rights in the Constitution
In Article 17 (1), the constitution of Nepal promises the Right to freedom, explaining, “No person shall be deprived of his or her personal liberty except following the law.” But the promise of the constitution varies in reality. In Nepal, people who look different and act differently do not get respect like ‘heterosexuals.’
Though Nepal has not legalized same-sex marriage, some cases were registered in the district court. In 2007, the Supreme Court ordered the legalization of the same-sex marriage act. But the bill has not yet passed through the legislative body.
People join the Pride Movement in Kathmandu. Credit: Ankit Khadki
Through Article 12, Nepal Government started to issue citizenship, passport, and other documents for the LGBTIQ, including them in the ‘other’ option. But the community doesn’t want to recognize them as ‘third’ gender or ‘other.’
According to the National Human Rights Commission, a total of 170 people have only received citizenship under the ‘other’ category. This remains a small amount of 1,500 people who registered themselves in the 2011 Census.
What Next?
According to the Nepal Police Headquarters, they have directed the rightful authority to investigate the issue of bullying Nikisha Shrestha and detain the culprit. But doing this only doesn’t solve the issue properly.
Lawmakers should also give special priority to the LGBTIQ community. The Government should allocate a budget to become entrepreneurs, self-dependent people.
Anjali Lama, Nepal’s first transwoman model, featured in Lakme Fashion week, also says, “The Government should encourage them to live a respectful life in the society.
In Conclusion
Harassing someone just because they are different does not make someone a hero. It shows the feeble intellect present in the person’s mind.
We should speak in favor of these people, support them. Nepali law accepts them easily, but society still doesn’t accept them calmly. Wise people should come upon their side.
To become a real hero, we should respect the LGBTIQ community, treat them equally—not differently.
Read More: Normalizing the ‘F-word’ | 3 held for abusing Nikisha Shrestha
