>>7975This is where things get thorny. In South Asian languages, there isn't really a word for "gender." There's no distinction between sex and gender which is important to keep in mind. Islamic law distinguishes between male, female, and "khuntha" based on genitalia. Khuntha isn't a monolith but an ambiguous umbrella term with a dozen different subtypes. Hijra are included in the khuntha category and local culture sees them as neither men nor women. Just as men and women have different social roles, responsibilities, and place in the pecking order. Khuntha have to follow their own 'gendered' rules e.g. khuntha's have their own funeral rituals, have to stand in between women's and men's rows during prayers, and have their own inheritance laws. Islamic theology traditionally saw khunthas as miraculous acts of God who are born the way they are. Because of this, hijra are often seen as having a divine favor. Despite this, they are quite badly discriminated against these days and their status in indigenous culture isn't always enshrined in post-colonial laws.
There's a NGO cottage industry to try to get them to identify as transgender. Overall, the hijra have declined because transgender is becoming more fashionable. Its seen as modern and civilized, while hijra are seen as backward failed transgenders.
tldr they are a third sex but whether they are non conforming depends on how you look at them. In conservative Islamic culture they aren't non-conforming.