Dr. Aijaz Ahmad Bund started his journey as an LGBTQ activist in India in 2011. Seeing the struggles of the transgender community in Kashmir, he took a bold step by starting Sonzal Welfare Trust, an organisation dedicated to helping transgender people. His passion to help this often-forgotten community came from seeing their daily struggles and understanding that they needed someone to stand up for their rights. The organisation was born from a simple idea – that every person, regardless of their gender identity, deserves respect, support, and a chance to live with dignity in society. Dr. Bund’s decision to work in this field was not easy, especially in a conservative region like Kashmir, but his determination to make a difference kept him going.
Groundbreaking Research and Publications
In 2017, Dr. Bund published his first book called “Exclusively Trans Community,” which was a deep study of 24 transgender people. This book was special because it was the first time someone had written in detail about the lives of transgender people in Kashmir. He spent a lot of time understanding their culture, problems, and daily life. After this success, he wrote another important book about self-identifying Kashmiri Muslims who are part of the LGBTQ community. This book talked about how these individuals manage their relationships with family, deal with society, and balance their religious identity with their gender identity. These books filled a big gap in understanding LGBTQ Muslims in Kashmir.
Comprehensive Support Services
Sonzal Welfare Trust offers many important services to the LGBTQ community. They provide counselling and something called LGBT affirmative therapy, which helps people feel good about who they are. When community members face problems or are in crisis, the organisation is there to help them. Many people who come to them are confused about how to balance their spiritual beliefs with their identity. The organisation has trained people who understand LGBTQ issues and can provide proper guidance. What makes their service special is that it’s completely private – anyone can reach out to them through social media or by visiting their office, and their information stays secret.
Crisis Intervention and Legal Aid
The organisation doesn’t just stop at counselling. They help LGBTQ people who have been thrown out of their homes or faced violence. When someone needs legal help, they guide them about how to file cases and get legal services. Sometimes they help people talk to their families and try to make things better at home. They understand that many LGBTQ people face different kinds of problems, so they try to provide whatever help is needed. This could mean finding a safe place to stay, protecting someone from violence, or helping them fight for their rights in court.
Creating Safe Spaces for Discussion
Understanding that LGBTQ people need places where they can talk freely, Dr. Bund and his team have created both online and offline spaces for community meetings. In these spaces, people can share their stories without fear of being judged. They can talk about their problems, find friends who understand them, and get support from others who have similar experiences. These spaces have become like a second home for many people who don’t feel accepted in their regular lives.
Understanding Kashmir’s Unique Challenges
Dr. Bund points out that while LGBTQ people face problems everywhere in the world, the situation in Kashmir is different. The problems here are more complex because of many factors like religion, culture, and the political situation. He explains that in Kashmir, people’s identities are connected to many things – their religion, their culture, their social status, and more. This makes the experience of being LGBTQ in Kashmir unique and requires special understanding and solutions.
Breaking the Silence:Building Bridges of Understanding
Dr. Bund strongly believes that it’s time to break the silence around LGBTQ issues in Kashmir. He says we can’t keep living in darkness and pretending these realities don’t exist. LGBTQ people have always been part of society, even if people didn’t talk about them openly. He works hard to start conversations about different gender identities and sexual orientations in a way that people can understand and accept. A big part of Dr. Bund’s work is helping people understand that LGBTQ rights are human rights. He tries to build bridges between the LGBTQ community and the larger society. Through his work, he shows that accepting LGBTQ people doesn’t mean going against culture or religion. Instead, it means showing respect and love to all human beings, which is a basic teaching of most religions and cultures.
Future Vision and Ongoing Work
Looking ahead, Dr. Bund continues to work for a future where LGBTQ people in Kashmir can live openly and without fear. His organisation keeps growing and helping more people. They’re working on new projects to reach more people and provide better services. Dr. Bund believes that change is happening slowly but surely. He sees hope in the younger generation who are more accepting and understanding of different identities. Through his books, talks, and organisation’s work, he keeps pushing for a more inclusive and accepting Kashmir.
Also Read: Padma Shri Awardee Dr. Shyam Sundar Paliwal Transforming Rural India Through Piplantri Model
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