Indian court tells eunuch mayor to resign office

The first eunuch to win public office in India has been ordered to step down.

Kamla Jaan has been mayor of the town of Katni in central India for three years. She has been a success, fixing the water supply and refurbishing bus stations and – a rare thing in politics – has been seen as honest.

But the High Court in her home state, Madhya Pradesh, has ruled her election illegal. Ms Jaan won a seat which was reserved for women, although, at the time, she was registered as a man. Like many Indian eunuchs, however, she considers herself a woman.

Her election in 1999 shocked the political establishment and was a triumph for the eunuch community who are seen as auspicious by Hindus, but are often the victims of discrimination.

Ms Jaan plans to appeal to the Indian Supreme Court.