By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu,Oct. 13: The book 'Linga Dekhi Manav Prakriti Samma (From Gender to Human Nature) written by former Constituent Assembly member Sunil Babu Pant, has been launched on Monday.
Participants at the launch, including former Constituent Assembly members, professors, writers and rights activists, recommended reading the book to understand gender and sexual diversity, human nature and identity.
The book was jointly launched by Dr. Binda Pandey, chairperson of the Constituent Assembly’s Human Rights Committee, National Assembly member Renu Chand, former Constituent Assembly member Parshuram Ramtel, Sushil Rijal, author of Shikhandi, among others.
During the event, speakers shared that the book would be useful in dispelling confusion surrounding gender and sexual diversity in society, understanding references to these subjects in Eastern philosophy and history, and examining the implementation of rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Dr. Pandey said extensive discussions had taken place on incorporating the rights of sexual and gender minorities into the Constitution.
She said there had been debate over whether to use the terms ‘third gender’ or ‘sexual and gender minorities’, and that the latter terminology was ultimately adopted. Pandey recalled that the Constituent Assembly had also discussed the classification of first, second and third genders.
National Assembly member Renu Chand said the significance of the human figure depicted with a skeleton and skin would become clearer as readers progressed through the book.
Chand said Pant had written the book not to create controversy but to open the door to dialogue.
She said she agreed with the argument that the Western gender framework was not the only basis for understanding gender experiences across all societies.
Eastern philosophy also offered a multidimensional framework for understanding gender experiences, she said.
Tribhuvan University professor Ram Lohani said gender should not be understood as limited to two fixed categories of black and white. Questioning why people should be deprived of their inherent rights based on their natural identity, he said there should be no discrimination in the rights people receive from society and the state.
Sushil Rijal, author of Shikhandi, said Pant’s book, based on study and research, would be a useful resource for teachers, students, researchers, journalists and others.
Speaking about the book, Pant said Eastern philosophy and traditions viewed third-gender and gender-diverse people as valuable members of society, possessing unique qualities and contributing to social balance.
Pant said Eastern philosophy viewed such individuals as naturally balanced and possessing unique qualities. Citing religious and mythological figures, including Ganesh, he said qualities associated with women, such as compassion, wisdom and memory, were also valued.
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