The DU authorities have permitted 11 registered tea stalls to remain in the Teacher Student Centre (TSC). Among them is possibly the first hijra tea stall owner in TSC's history.
Priya Khan, a familiar face to DU students, has opened this stall.
Priya addresses her as a member of the hijra community.
Priya referred to her shop as "Aladdin's Lamp." Since 2016, she has been trying to find a way to support herself at DU. She had approached the authorities several times, but they were unable to help her.
"The current VC and Proctor Sir allowed me, and the students supported me. This may be a small shop, but it's something monumental for me. It’s my new source of life energy. I opened my shop 11 days ago, and during this time, I have felt like a newborn."
The best thing about owning this shop, Priya says, is having the freedom to work on her own terms. "If I feel like opening the shop, I do; if not, I don't. Owning this shop is something big for me. I can’t thank the people who helped me open it enough."
"I can't express in words how significant this is for me. Where I once had to rely on others for help, now I’m self-sufficient."
Priya was born in Savar and grew up in Tangail. She came to Dhaka through her 'Guruma' (hijra Community Leader). Her family did not force her out; she left of her own accord. She was a renowned dancer in Old Dhaka. "Before I started collecting money, I earned income by dancing and singing."
For many years, Priya collected money from DU, although she used to visit only two or three times a week. From 2020 onwards, she began coming to the DU campus regularly. "People used to hire me as a dancer before, but now they don't, which is why I had to rely on others' help."
Priya refers to DU students as her brothers and sisters. She also expressed her sorrow, saying, "When other fellow hijras collect money as usual, some students say, 'You’ve been given a shop.' Yes, I was given a shop, but is it really enough to feed nine people?"
Priya emphasized that those in the hijra community who want to continue their current way of life should be free to do so, but those who wish to pursue other dreams should also be allowed to. "This way, we won't lag behind, and we will be able to contribute as well. I urge all the Gurumas (hijra Community Leaders) to let everyone follow their dreams."
Priya and her fellow hijras, whom she refers to as her daughters, also volunteered during the July Movement. She recalled: "So many people died during that time. I can't describe the situation in words."
"I saw pregnant women and children die during that time. This is something no one should ever have to witness."
According to Priya, it is not yet time to build a new Bangladesh, which is why it’s not the time to make demands. When pressed, she gave a hint: "We want our five basic needs to be ensured. We don’t want to be bullied, and we don’t want to live under all these restrictions. No one should ask me who gave me permission to be here or why I’m here."
"Many efforts have been made to eliminate discrimination. People died, the government fled. If things remain the same, what was the point of all that sacrifice?"
