“We are Sanātani!”. Kinnars’ interpretations of Sanātana Dharma

Abstract

According to kinnars, in the past they held a significant religious role in South Asia. They existed in various traditions, including that of the hijṛās. In the nineteenth century, “hijṛā” became an umbrella term for various gender non-conforming identities due to the classifications imposed by the British Raj.  Hijṛās represent a religious subculture that combines Hindu and Islamic features. Today, stemming from and still rooted in this tradition, kinnars are outlining a new identity, distancing themselves from Islamic backgrounds and instead referring to Vedic, Puranic and sanātani features. They assert, indeed, that they have always been part of the sanātana dharma and are reclaiming their historical position. The label sanātana dharma is used by kinnars to indicate a universal religion devoid of caste, gender and religious discrimination. In this presentation, taking into consideration various kinnar leaders, I will outline kinnars’ understandings of sanātana dharma and how they are using and reinterpreting its meaning to gain socio-religious legitimation and authority.