Transgenders tussle for freedom

Police intervene, warn one of the groups not to intervene in other group’s affairs

Ongole: The transgenders in Ongole demanded that police and public administration support them in leading an independent social life. They reported to the police on a few fellow trangenders who are obstructing their individuality and wanted protection from them.

There are about 150 transgenders in Prakasam district and about 30 of them are living in Ongole town. A few of the transgenders are continuing education and also applied for competitive exams last year. The local District Legal Services Authority, Women Welfare Associations are in regular talks with the transgenders and motivating them to lead a dignified life than involving in begging, prostitution and other anti-social activities.

The transgenders, who are leading a miserable life away from the parents and families, find comfort in living groups. They themselves create relations like mother-daughter and guru-sishya and gets moral and financial support from them. The transgenders earn money by begging or prostitution and gives a major share to the guru for giving protection and other expenses of the community rituals.

It is a customary to the transgenders that they should oblige the decision of their guru at any cost and the violators should pay the fine or accept the punishment given by the guru. If any transgender is working against the community rules and guidelines, the other transgenders may beat or even kill that person.

Due to the motivation by the authorities and women organisations in Ongole, a section of the transgenders led by Bonu Durga, S Veena, Sk Karishma and others, wanted to come out from the group and wanted to live a decent life by developing skills and getting employment opportunities in society.

They said, “After the encouragement and explanation of legal provision for the normal life of transgenders by DLSA secretary Raja Venkatadri, Women Commission member T Ramadevi and social worker T Aruna, we have decided to live a decent and happy life in society. But the elders like Nizampatnam Reshma, Sandhya, Rani, Basha and Jhansi are forcing us to continue begging and others and demanding pay their share.

They are beating us and even not allowing meeting our parents and other relatives. They are ruining our efforts to have a decent life and attacking us frequently.”The two groups complained to the police on one another and demanded them render justice. Superintendent of Police Dr CM Trivikrama Varma appointed DSP G Srinivas to handle the case on Friday.

The DSP warned the group of transgenders led by Reshma and others that the police will assist any person to live peacefully and do not tolerate any others disturbing the people in the name of customs. He took undertakings from them and said that he will initiate action if any one of them resort to any disturbing others in future.