Meet Akassh K Aggarwal, a well known social media influencer, famed accessory designer and a vocal LGBTQ rights activist who has represented the community on various national news channels. Akassh has also worked with NHRC on The Gender Sensitization Program and is currently working on his debut book ‘Pride India’. In a quick chat with TMM, Akassh talks about the intricacies of the community, its future, and his much-coveted book.
Tell us about the first incident, when you experienced what the society calls as ‘Homophobia’.
There is no specific moment or incident, but at an early age I realized that I am feminine and faced bully and discrimination by society and the people around me. For me, it all looked abnormal only till I came across the book ‘Ardhnareshwar’, at my cousin’s place. It gave me confidence and I guess that is when I started taking a stand for myself and with time grew as a self-reliant individual.
Akassh K Aggarwal,What do you think is the core behind this hatred in the society?
To a large extent, ill-treatment of the transgender section of the community is responsible for this hatred. If they would have been treated well, this would not have happened. So, we need to understand that all this lies in our past, where transgenders were ill-treated, and with time things turned worst. If our ancestors would have accepted them as a part of mainstream society and would have given equal opportunities, the present time would have been totally different.
Though Section 377 is scrapped, but the taboo still exists. How this can be removed from the roots of society.
I would say it has been the biggest landmark in history and we have all the reasons to celebrate it. Having said that, there’s a long way to go and find true freedom. As far as its removal is considered, it can’t be de-rooted so easily. The change has started and the celebration of Pride Month is a sign. We need to hit hard the mentality of people at both ground level and top brass to see the change happening. Also, consistent efforts in the form of films, seminars, and such celebrations will make people understand that it’s nothing different but a part of mankind.
The month of June is celebrated as Pride Month, how this can be made more fruitful in the Indian context?
I personally feel the degree of celebration we saw during the lockdown via the virtual world this year, would have been 5 times higher if the situation would have been normal. In real-time, changes are happening, but it will take time. To make it a fruitful affair, we need to understand the ground-level reality and then implement it in the same way. In the US, a teenager coming out of the closet and then working at a café to earn a livelihood is normal. But in India, where the joint family is the base of our existence and our identity relies on our family, the same model of Pride month makes no sense. We need to understand the psyche of people and then make them understand that this is nothing different and is present since inception. A very logical example in this context can be of Lord Shiva, who is also called ‘Ardhanareshwar.’
Akassh K Aggarwal,At personal level, what are your plans to support the community?
I am utilizing the lockdown to complete my book titled ‘Pride India’, which deals with the community and things related to it in the Indian context. I hope it will help many of us to look for a better tomorrow. Apart from that, I work for other NGOs and centers that work for the welfare of the LGBTQ community.
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