The eunuchs who have, ``for centuries', been working the Badekhan Chakla-Nanpura area complain that the `impostors' are giving them a bad name. Facing a problem of numbers 50 `genuine' members against 200 `fakes' they have even issued a public appeal, with phone numbers of the `nayak' and other office-bearers of the Badekhan Chakla-Nanpura Hijrawaad, saying they should be contacted in case of any harassment caused by the fakes.

It seems to be a case of an (over)aggressive sales pitch winning the market battle. Note the appeal's tips on how to recognise fakes: ``Use of abusive language, obscene behaviour, creating a ruckus at marriages and other functions and forcibly demanding money, which ranges anywhere between Rs 500 to 2000.''

Hijrawad `nayak' Naynakunwar Nandakunwar said they had received several complaints on such matters in the past few weeks and had issued the appeal in the public interest. ``We have been revered for centuries while these fake hijras have been causing us to get a bad name'', Naynakunwar said.

Incidentally, Police Commissioner Maniram had also issued a public appeal less than a month ago, asking people to contact their nearest police station or the city control room if harassed by eunuchs. That appeal, too, was based on unofficial complaints, and no arrest has been made so far.

The hostility shown by the old guard to the pretenders runs deeper than issuing public appeals. ``We will never accept them,'' said Sheetal Kunwar, a hijrawaad office-bearer, adding, ``Will you bring a prostitute home as a wife? Even if you do so, do you realise what the consequences will be?'' Sheetal's neighbour Kalakunwar said: ``People come here and ask us why we resort to unfair practices. We have been blessing them for years and now these fake eunuchs have spoilt the atmosphere''.

Another grudge against the pretenders was they didn't observe any business ethics. As Dhangorikunwar said, ``We do not venture out of the house after 6 p.m., but these fake hijras hang around till early morning. People think that we are the ones but it is not so''.

Nayna, the nayak, sums it up with all the airs of an ageing dowager watching her kingdom slowly crumble. ``The Nanpura Hijrawaad has been established since Surat was established. Generations know us as the genuine hijras and no one else can be given this status''.