Malayali transwoman seeks euthanasia as she finds no means to live

Coorg: Malayali transwoman woman Rihana Irfan has filed a petition for euthanasia to the district collector of Coorg. Her decision was not because she has no desire to live, but there was no way to find a living.

Being a transwoman, Rihana could not pursue a job or earn money, even for her meals. The only choice left for her is to go in for sex work, said Rihana. But she has decided not to take up such a 'deplorable life'.

Thamarassery native Rihana reached Karnataka eight years ago. She underwent two sex reassignment surgery from Bengaluru, spending over Rs 3 lakh. She could raise the amount with the help of the programmes conducted by the transgender community in Karnataka. Following the surgeries, Rihana decided to build a life of dignity by pursuing a decent job.

She approached several institutions, including hospitals and textile stores in Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Coimbatore for a job, but all to no avail. Everyone declined a job for her by citing her gender. There was no way left other than begging. Rihana had studied only up to Plus Two. By perceiving that education is the only way to escape from her distress, Rihana joined a college in Coorg for graduation. Still, the sole option to earn was through begging. Unfortunately, she had to abandon her college life due to the humiliating comments and estrangement she suffered from the other students.

She could not even find a home to live in as no one was willing to offer a rented house for her. Even if she managed to find one, neighbours urged the landlords to evict her. She was not offered a space in the homes run by the government either, she said.

The scorching experiences of life have urged Rihana to submit a plea for euthanasia in front of the district collector in Coorg. When the collector refrained from accepting the plea, Rihana informed him that she would otherwise kill herself. This compelled the collector to receive the letter.