In 2005 many Indian banks and money-lending institutions were reported for hiring criminals and eunuchs to recover unpaid loans from its clients by torturing them. On July 22, 2003 – Judge Ashok Kumar Verma in Kurukshetra (Haryana, India) sentenced three eunuchs to seven years’ imprisonment for castration of Pradeep in 2000 to join their community.

Yesterday, Pakistan Supreme Court in its ruling have suggested the government and social welfare departments consider hiring eunuchs for recovering outstanding loan – as it has a great success in India. In India, eunuchs accompanied by police go to each defaulter while dancing and singing and attract much attention as they ask the defaulters to pay up. Humiliated by the commotion, defaulters usually pay up as soon as possible. Eunuchs in Patna (India) had collected around Rs.400,000 (US$8,000) on their first day of work and took 4% home as their commission.

India is home to world’s largest eunuch population (close to one million). However, their special status as royal servants, confidantess and friends – has long gone. They have become India’s evergrowing population of Dalit (untouchable). Eunuchs or Hijras, as they’re called in India – have become something to be feared lately. Nobody wants to be accosted by one of them – be nugged with their elbows, stroked on the cheek, taunted, cursed and flashed.

It’s an old Hindu custom to have eunuch bless childbirth, wedding, housewarming, etc. Eunuchs are believed to possess occult powers, and their blessings – and curses – are both considered potent.

In recent years, events such as Hijra beauty contest has begun to receive a lot of public attention and a group of eunuchs even had the opportunity to model in a professional show, which was well-attended by India’s fashion circle and media.

http://rehmat1.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/eunuchs-hijras-as-loan-collectors/