MUMBAI: The transgender community in Maharashtra wants to be officially recognized as 'transgenders' or 'third gender', rather than be labeled as 'others' on electoral rolls. Deputy chief election commissioner H S Brahma, however, refused to replace 'others' with any term.The community has become more vocal after a Supreme Court order recognized transgenders or hijras, pointing out that it was one of the apex court's directives to issue government documents identifying them as transgenders or hijras.Urmi Jadhav, research assistant with the Humsafar Trust, an advocacy group for transgenders, said the Aadhaar card clearly mentioned them as 'transgenders', "so why not for voter ID cards?"The Election Commission had introduced an 'others' column along with 'male' and 'female' in electoral rolls for the recent Lok Sabha polls, before the SC order. In Maharashtra, 852 persons had registered under that category and 250 voted.As per the 2011 census, there are 4.9 lakh transgenders in the country, of whom 41,000 or 0.8% are in Maharashtra. But transgender activists claimed that the figure is higher. "There must be 1.2 lakh of us in Mumbai alone, and at least another lakh in the state," said Atharva Nair, general secretary, Maharashtra Tritiya Panthiya Sanghatana (MTPS).MTPS convenor Laxmi Tripathi said the term 'others' made it seem like they were furniture or animals. Tripathi said the state women and child welfare department had promised to set up a Hijra Welfare Board to address issues of transgenders. Tripathi said the assurance was given before the SC order gave legal recognition to the third gender in April.Neha Kene, an activist, said they faced problems while making passports as government officials were not sensitized about transgenders. Tripathi said the term 'eunuch', used on passports, was derogatory. "If 'transgender' or 'third gender' are used on electoral rolls, it will benefit us greatly while dealing with other government departments," said Kene.Abhina Aher said hijras or transgenders were simplified terms but there were other issues too, like transformation from male to female or vice-versa. "Most of these surgeries in India are carried out illegally. But for now, a simple 'transgender' or 'third gender' would be more humane than an indifferent 'others'," said Aher.