Lok Sabha elections 2024: I want to take on PM Modi, says Hemangi Sakhi

The decision of Mahamandaleshvar Hemangi Sakhi to contest the Lok Sabha election from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, against Prime Minister Narendra Modi is indeed noteworthy, given her commitment to raising issues and the voices of marginalised communities. Her journey from Baroda to Mumbai, and eventually to Vrindavan and Varanasi reflects her resilience and determination. She tells mid-day about what keeps her going in the face of struggle.

Being the first transgender to recite the Bhagavad Gita is a significant achievement, showcasing her dedication to her beliefs and community. It'll be interesting to see how her candidacy impacts the political discourse in Varanasi. mid-day spoke with Sakhi, who says contesting the election is not a fight to win or lose, but to raise issues and the voice of transgenders and the common man, who have been neglected in many ways.

Sakhi campaigning in Varanasi

Sakhi was born in Baroda, Gujarat, and later shifted to Mumbai as her father was in the film distribution business. She studied at a convent school till Std VI (her parents died around that time, leaving her to fend for herself). Sakhi's devotion towards Krishna brought her to the ISKCON temple in Mumbai. She then shifted to the ritualistic lanes of Vrindavan in Mathura where she decided to perform religious rituals. She started learning the granthas in the Gita and as today is the first transgender raconteur of the Bhagavad Gita.

Excerpt from an interview...

Why did you decide to contest the election?
To raise the voice of transgenders who are totally neglected in society. We, too, have the right to live and fight elections.

You will be a public representative. How will you only think about transgender rights?
I never said that I would only take up transgender issues. There should be someone to raise their voice too. Only a transgender can understand their problems and raise them in Parliament.

What issues you will raise for transgenders?
There are many issues, starting from equality. We are just neglected in society. If we have the right to vote then all facilities provided to common citizens should be provided to us. Right to education, right to jobs and many more. For example, the Maharashtra government, a few months ago, announced MHADA flats for transgenders. But where are the flats? It was just an announcement. Why are such promises not written on paper?

Why did you decide to contest from Varanasi, against PM Modi?
It's not about fighting against Narendra Modi or any big figure. It's about raising our voices and issues. If I contest against him then only my voice will be loud enough to reach the masses and the government.

What are you doing for campaigning in Varanasi?
People know me here and if campaigning is done then it is with me going door-to-door in the constituency. It will help me get familiar with the public and their day-to-day problems.

You were denied a ticket by the Akhil Bharati Hindu Maha Sabha party?
Yes, they denied me a ticket. First, they declared me as the Varanasi candidate. Then they got a letter from the Election Commission saying I can't contest. So they denied me a ticket, after which I decided to contest independently.

Do you think there was pressure to not give you a ticket?
Maybe. I am not aware of any such thing.

You are meeting the transgender community too. What do you tell them?
I am meeting them and asserting that every transgender should think about contesting the election. Our voice will be only raised if we have a seat and raise our issues. In the near future, we should ensure that be it the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, corporator/counsellor or gram panchayat, there should be contestants from our side too. We are into social work but still have to raise so many of our own issues.

Do you think Modi has done satisfactory work in the constituency?
The Varanasi people can better explain it better. I haven't spoken against Narendra Modi. But I think any public representative elected by the common people should be in public and on the ground. Modi just comes for inaugurations. People in his constituency can't even meet him due to his security cover. Where will they raise their problems? He should be on the ground, going door-to-door, to know the problems of the general public.

Do you face any sort of pressure after deciding to contest against the PM?
Many have asked why I'm contesting against him. But I have decided to make a stand and fight for the rights of the people.

What about women's rights and empowerment?
I have raised issues related to women's empowerment and against abuse. The government says ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao', but is it safe to send our sisters and daughters out, and then will they get the quality of education they need? Women in the state lack education and are often targeted for dowry. What is the government doing for them? I will also come up with my solution ‘Kinnar Bachao Aur Kinnar Padhao' as we too have the same right.

Why the slogan ‘Kinnar Bachao Aur Kinnar Padhao?
My reason for contesting is to save the Kinnar i.e transgender community… to upgrade them. Most of them are into begging and prostitution. Why are they choosing the wrong way? Shouldn't the government think about them, so they get jobs and can work hard to live a happy life, rather than getting into such illegal ways of earning? Firstly educating transgenders is most important.

What other issues do you wish to take on?
I think from giving scholarships and concessions in education for a child to giving facilities to the elderly. Now a senior citizen's monthly expense is R2,000-R5,000 just for medicines. Where will they get the money from? Why isn't the government giving free medicine to them? Only health insurance is not enough. The government should also consider their daily medicine requirements. More than 40- 50 per cent of senior citizens depend on medicine.

What do you have to say about the lack of jobs?
The government should fill the vacant posts which are on hold first. Not only provision of jobs but also harassment of men should stop. These days, the law safeguards women and many are filing false cases in the name of harassment and talaq. This should be stopped and there should be some law to protect men from getting abused or harassed.

How many votes do you think you'll get against Modi?
I think over 400 this time. The fight is not to secure votes, but to raise our issues.

Why did the transgender community protest against you getting a ticket?
Yes, I heard about some transgenders protesting against me. I doubt they were Kinnar. Everyone has an opposition and I think they are trying to create false propaganda against me. I don't care as I am fighting for the transgender and common citizens overall.

EC letter denying Sakhi ticket
I am directed to refer to your letter dated 11.03.24 received in the Commission on 11.03.24 in the above subject wherein your party has applied for allotment of common election symbol(s) for the ensuing Assembly/Lok Sabha general election(s) under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. In this regard, it is to be informed that your application has not been accepted due to the following reason(s). As per the records of the Commission, on the date of application, your party has no authorised office bearers and there is a dispute regarding the office bearers of your party. In this regard, you are advised to refer to ‘Conditions for Allotment', ‘Proforma for Application' and ‘Date on or after which 2' available on the Commission's website at the following path https://www.eci.gov.in/election-symbol.