Police purging hijras out of Bengaluru - resistance by sexual minorities and human rights defenders

Letter from karnataka State Human Rights Commiss

2009-01-19T22:24:00.000-08:00

Letter from Secretary of Home Minister

2009-01-19T22:15:00.000-08:00

Reply from Urban Development Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister's personal Secretary

2009-01-07T00:17:00.000-08:00

letter from National Human Rights Commission

2008-12-30T04:14:00.000-08:00

letter from Home Minister

2008-12-30T04:13:00.000-08:00

letter from State Human RIghts Commission

2008-12-30T04:10:00.000-08:00

World AIDS Day Press Release

2008-12-01T23:00:00.000-08:00

Karnataka Sex Workers Union

No. 9, ABABIL, Patel Cheluvappa Street, JC Nagar [MR Palya], Bangalore – 560006

Phone: 9731018694, Email: sexworkersunion@gmail.com, Web: http://kswu.blogspot.com/

Press Release

Strongly condemning the actions of Karnataka State health and police officials, that are fuelling the spread of HIV-AIDS

Bangalore, Dec 1, 2008

Health Department in Ramnagara District spreads misinformation against homosexuals making them further vulnerable to HIV infection: District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit, Ramanagara District and District Health and Family Welfare Officer, Ramanagara District have conducted the World AIDS Day program today in Ramanagra town and have spread the misinformation against homosexuals through public distribution of leaflets. Excerpts from the leaflet include 'salingakama: HIV, AIDSge rahadhaari' (meaning – Homosexuality: Highway to HIV, AIDS), 'salingakaamigalinda dhooraviri' (meaning – Stay away from Homosexuals) and warns people to stay away from homosexuals as a way to prevent AIDS. This messages spread prejudice, stigma and discrimination against homosexuals and make them further vulnerable to HIV infection. This is completely opposite to the strategy of National AIDS Control Program, which seeks to fight stigma and discrimination against homosexuals and support their human rights as a strategy to reduce their vulnerability to HIV infection. It is shocking that local health authorities are doing harm to HIV-AIDS program in Karnataka whereas Ms. K. Sujatha Rao (Director General of National AIDS Control Program) and Mr. Anbumani Ramodass (Union health minister) are in the forefront vocally demanding the decimalization of homosexual sex between consenting adults. To prevent AIDS, we need to reach out to homosexuals and support efforts for their health and human rights.

Background: Karnataka is one of the high prevalence states for HIV in India. There is a need for serious and committed efforts to combat AIDS to prevent new infections and to prevent collapse of the public health system, which is already in a bad shape. There is also a strong need to reach out to the people most vulnerable to HIV infection i.e. sexual minorities, sexworkers and Intravenous Drug Users etc. and support them in accessing various social entitlements. It is internationally proved that the best way to prevent HIV is to support the human rights of marginalized people including sexual minorities.

Ineffective functioning and corruption in Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society: Karnataka State AIDS Control Society, the main body to coordinate the governmental efforts against AIDS has come under severe criticism in the past few years for its ineffective functioning (not utilizing allocated funds properly and sending back most of the funds, frequent change of its directors, not involving people infected/most-affected by HIV in a meaningful way, not involving organizations working on HIV-AIDS issues in a meaningful way etc.) and financial corruption.

Police are purging hijras out of Bengaluru City, making them vulnerable to HIV infection: police have declared an illegal war on hijras (working class male-to-female transgenders) in the past 2 months. On 20^th October 2008, when HIV-AIDS program staff (crisis team members of Sangama, an organization implementing the activities of National AIDS Control Program among hijras and homosexual/bisexual males in the city) enquired about the detention of 5 hijras by police, Police belonging to Banashakari Police Station stripped, verbally-physically-sexually assaulted and booked the HIV-AIDS workers on false charges. When human rights activists from various dalit-trade union-women's-sexual minority-sexworker organizations questioned the illegal police actions, Banashankari Police verbally-physically-sexually assaulted them and booked them on false charges. Sangama's crisis intervention is recognized as a best practice model to be emulated by other NGOs by the Indian Government in its National AIDS Control Plan – III (Strategy and Implementation Plan, NACP 3).

In 2^nd week of November, Police from Sampigehalli and Amruthahalli police stations started spreading false rumors about already marginalized hijras including 'hijras are kidnapping male children, making them transgenders by injecting with hormones, castrating them by force and forcing them into sexwork/begging'. Police tried to push hijras out of Dasarahalli area (where many hijras are living for many years) in Amruthalli police station limits through issuing written notices and pressurizing the house owners to throw their hijras tents out. This led to the large scale evictions of hijras out of this area and hijras are scattered and are living under the constant fear of police attacks. HIV-AIDS prevention efforts among hijras in Bengaluru is severely affected, as it is becoming impossible to reach out to hijras.

These actions of Karnataka health and police officials are putting the Karnataka HIV-AIDS prevention work at risk. There actions are fuelling prejudice and misinformation against homosexuals and hijras, one of the most marginalized populations of our society. These actions are fueling the spread of HIV-AIDS in the state.

We strongly condemn these actions of health and police officials and demand that the state and union governments take immediate corrective measures.

Yours faithfully

Geetha, General Secretary, Karnataka Sex Workers Union

Umesh, General Secretary, Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum

19 NOV - Media Coverage

2008-11-20T01:07:00.000-08:00

19 NOV - Media Coverage

2008-11-20T01:02:00.000-08:00

Nov 18 - Hhuman Rights Watch Release

2008-11-19T00:37:00.000-08:00

November 18, 2008

For Immediate Release

India: Stop ‘Social Cleansing' in Bangalore

Illegal Mass Evictions Against a Transgender Community

(New York, November 18, 2008) - Police in Bangalore forced about 100 hijras (working-class transgender people) from their homes on November 10, 2008, suggesting a spreading pattern of prejudice-driven violence and abuse in the city, Human Rights Watch said today in letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and local authorities. Following the arrests on October 20 and 21 of more than three dozen hijras and human rights defenders, the incident points to an organized police campaign of social cleansing in Bangalore.

The latest incident came immediately after several national newspapers reported that Bangalore police had captured a "gang" of hijras who kidnapped children, castrated them, and forced them into sex work. Police used these stories to justify the mass evictions of hijras from their homes.

"Of course, all reports of child abuse should be thoroughly investigated," said Dipika Nath, researcher in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights program at Human Rights Watch. "But authorities are also responsible for sorting out fact from prejudice - and there is no excuse for targeting an entire community for retaliation."

Accounts of hijras kidnapping children and changing their sex are a common folk myth in many parts of India. These reports came amid an apparent campaign by Bangalore authorities against hijras in the city. The Mumbai-based Daily News and Analysis quoted Bangalore's Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) on October 20 as calling for a "drive against the city's eunuch menace." "Eunuch" is a widely used derogatory term for hijras.

On the same day, police arrested five hijras in Bangalore and charged them with "extortion," beating and sexually abusing them in the process. They also arrested 41 human rights defenders - including hijras, Dalits, women's rights and sex worker activists, and trade union activists - who came to their defense. When challenged on their unconstitutional actions, the police told some of the activists that they had orders from higher up to round up hijras in Bangalore.

Next, on November 8 and 9, five major newspapers in India, including two national dailies, carried news items about Bangalore police breaking up a "gang" of hijras. The gang allegedly kidnapped children, performed "sex change" operations on them, and forced them to become sex workers. The reports also claimed that the accused hijras were associated with Sangama, a Bangalore-based organization that works to defend the rights of sexual minorities. Sangama members were among the protesters against police actions on October 20-21. Sangama has denied that the two accused hijras are associated with the organization.

Immediately after these reports appeared, on November 9, the police inspector of Amrutahalli police station in Bangalore issued a notice to about 40 homeowners in the Dasarahalli neighborhood - known for having a substantial hijra population - requiring them to evict all hijras who rented apartments or rooms from them. More than 100 hijras rented rooms there, and most found themselves on the streets. Several lost their security deposits, and some lost all their belongings. One hijra told newspapers and local activists that she could not even find an autorickshaw driver to give her a ride because hijras had been labeled kidnappers.

Police claimed the hijras conducted "immoral activities" in their houses, and the eviction notice was, according to newspaper reports, also accompanied by verbal threats to the homeowners. Some of the homeowners told newspapers that they had never had trouble with their hijra tenants, but they were afraid to disobey the arbitrary command.

Evicted hijras told newspapers and local sexual rights activists that the police accusations that they engaged in "immoral activities" were unfounded, and that the kidnapping case brought against two hijras was being used as a pretext for the mass evictions. Police deny responsibility for the evictions, claiming the homeowners evicted their hijra tenants because of the charges of kidnapping in the press. However, The Hindu, a leading national daily, reported that it had a copy of the notice the police personally served to the homeowners.

Campaign for Sexworkers and Sexual Minorities Rights (CSMR), a coalition of activists and human rights organizations, has protested the police's arbitrary violation of hijras' fundamental right to reside in the city. It has also demanded that the eviction notice be withdrawn.

"The near-absolute legal and political disenfranchisement of hijras in most parts of India relies in part on myths about criminal and antisocial behavior as communal characteristics," said Nath. "Because of prevailing myths that hijras habitually kidnap young boys, reports of the arrest of two hijras on criminal charges are a convenient excuse to target the entire community without arousing public outcry."

To read the letter from Human Rights Watch to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, please visit:

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/11/18/human-rights-watch-letter-indian-pm-manmohan-singh

Source: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/11/18/india-stop-social-cleansing-bangalore

14 NOV - Media Coverage

2008-11-14T04:06:00.000-08:00

13 NOV - Media Coverage

2008-11-14T01:45:00.000-08:00

12-13 NOV - Media Coverage

2008-11-14T01:42:00.000-08:00

13 NOV - Media Coverage

2008-11-12T20:05:00.000-08:00

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/13/stories/2008111350580200.htm

MP from Nepal shocked over Dasarahalli incidents

Bageshree S.

Bangalore: "How can an entire community be targeted because two of its members are facing criminal charges," asks Sunil Pant incredulously, referring to the incidents in Dasarahalli in Bangalore where hijras were targeted and turned out of homes over the alleged involvement of two members of the community in a crime.

Coming from a country which is way ahead of India in recognising the rights of the sexuality minority community, the incident comes as a shock to Mr. Pant, a gay Member of Parliament representing the Communist Party of Nepal (United).

He is the founding member of Blue Diamond Society (BDS), a network of 20 groups and organisations working on HIV/AIDS, human rights and social justice for sexuality minorities.

BDS was part of the legal battle in Nepal which led to the ruling in December, 2007 ordering the Government there to defend and protect the rights of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender people. Issues related to the welfare of the community found a mention in the manifestoes of most political parties in the last elections in Nepal. Nepal has since moved on and sexuality minority groups have been given citizenship identity cards.

That Government has made a special allocation in the budget for their welfare. "Initially, we took up issues related to health and human rights. The next focus is on economic programmes and poverty alleviation that will give them a sense of dignity," Mr. Pant says.

"What needs to be recognised is that hijras and other members of the community are on the streets because they have no other place to go," he says. Things begin to change once other avenues open up, as is happening in Nepal, he adds.

His colleagues in the Nepalese Parliament, says Mr. Pant, are either supportive or want to know more about the sexuality minority community. In fact, the Nepalese are traditionally more tolerant of the community because there is an inherent cultural acceptance. "Hindus worship Ardhanarishwar and Buddhists worship Avalokiteshwar," he says.

Mr. Pant says that documentation done by BDS on violence against the community over the years shows that there was an escalation in atrocities against them between 2003 and 2006, at the height of the monarchic rule. "Naturally, the most powerless and voiceless pay the highest price during such times," he observes.

Both the law enforcing authorities and the political parties in India have something to learn from the Nepalese experience, feels Mr. Pant. "You cannot push people into darkness and expect them to be enlightened," he says.

To align with the sexuality minority makes sense in terms of real-politik too, he adds. Support from the community had a big role in the victory of CPN(U) candidates in the last elections, he says.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/13/stories/2008111361820400.htm

Hijras face further harassment

Staff Reporter

'It is wrong to target the whole community'

Bangalore: Hijras residing at Dasarahalli, who have been under pressure to vacate their houses following notices served by the police, were allegedly subjected to further abuse on Wednesday morning.

Soummya, a hirjra from the area, said the police arrived on Wednesday night and announced on loudspeakers that those who continued to stay there should leave immediately.

"Due to pressure from the authorities, many left homes leaving behind their belongings. They spent the night at the Majestic bus terminus," she said.

The situation took a turn for the worse on Wednesday morning when the police arrived on two motorcycles and a van around 9 a.m. and started beating up the hijras who remained in the area, alleged Kala, another hijra.

"Because of pressure from the police our landlords have no choice but to ask us to leave. We have not even been able to get back the deposits we had paid," said Manju, a member of the community.

Speaking about the case of an under-aged boy allegedly kidnapped and castrated by two hijras, following which the community in the area has faced harassment, Kanta said: "Individual cases must be tackled individually. It is wrong to target the whole community."

Jalaja, another hijra, echoed similar sentiments: "Why are we all being treated like criminals? Police have been warning autorickshaw drivers against taking us, telling them to refuse to take us."

Hijras from Dasarahalli were at a meeting of the sexuality minority community organised by Nepalese MP Sunil Pant.

12 NOV Press Release

2008-11-12T18:00:00.000-08:00

Campaign for Sexworkers & Sexual Minorities Rights
No. 9 ABABIL, Patel Cheluvappa Street, J C Nagar (MR Palya), Bengaluru – 560 006.
Email: advocacysangama@gmail.com

Press Release

12th Nov 2008, Bengaluru

To

The Editor/Director

Bengaluru

Dear Madam/Sir,

Sub: Illegal evictions of hijras in Dasarahalli Area by Amruthahalli Police

On November 10th, 2008 over 100 hijras residing in Dasarahalli were asked to vacate their premises by their owners. Some of them had been living there as long as two years. When the hijras inquired of the owners of the reasons for them being asked to vacate they were told that some of the owners had received a notice from the police in connection with a criminal case filed against two hijras on November 7th, 2008 on charges of abduction, grievous hurt and attempt to murder. The police notice dated November 9th, 2008 and issued by the Inspector, Amruthhalli Police Station to various home owners in Dasarahalli, intimated them that, while they were entitled to rent out their houses to hijras, it had come to the notice of the police that immoral activities were being carried out in their houses. In this connection a criminal case had been registered in Sampigehalli Police Station and an inquiry had been initiated. Those who were named in the police notice were asked to appear before the police failing which they would themselves be made responsible'.

This notice was accompanied by verbal police threats that the hijras who were tenants should be evicted forthwith. Acting on this arbitrary and irrational action by the police, many owners out of fear began to ask the hijras to evict the premises. Due to this arbitrary police action, over hundred hijras have been forced to leave their homes. On inquiry with home-owners it transpired that they had no problems and no complaints against the hijras who were their tenants. The only fear was the fear of police highhandedness and police vindictiveness should they fail to comply with the oral dictates of the police.

While we believe that the law should take its course as far as this specific allegation against some members of the community is concerned, but what is of grave concern is the targeting of the entire community of hijras in Dasarahalli and some other parts of Bangalore. This is being done in the name of enquiry regarding the alleged crime by a few individual hijras.

The hijra community in Bangalore is an extremely underprivileged community. Most often they do not have the right to live their lives in the gender that they desire as that gender has no official value. Many of them are forced to leave their homes because of violence fueled by rejection by their families. However, the hijra community today is victimized socially, legally, politically and economically. They struggle for day-to-day survival as they do for their basic human rights.

We condemn this high-handed police action and would like to clearly state that:

1) While the police are entitled to clearly prosecute offenses committed by members of the hijra community, any alleged wrong doing by some members should not be taken as a license to target the community as a whole.

2) The collective punishment of the hijra community by the police smacks of vindictiveness and
arbitrariness, and violates the Constitutional promise of equality, freedom of movement and the freedom to settle in any part of the country and the right to live with dignity guaranteed to all citizens under Art 14, Art 19 and Art 21.

3) We demand that the notice be withdrawn and the hijra community is not subjected to collective punishment.

For more information contact: Siddharth – 9845001168, Manohar-9880223460

Yours faithfully

Siddharth
for CSMR

(Constituents: Alternative Law Forum, Aneka, Environment Support Group, Garment and Textile Workers Union, Gud As You, Hengasara Hakkina Sangha, Jyothi Mahila Sangha, Jansthu, Karnataka Dalit Mahila Vedike, Karnataka Komusouhardha Vedike, Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum, Karnataka Sexworkers Union, Karnataka Janapara Vedike, LesBiT, Lawyers Collective, Milana, Openspace, Pedestrian Pictures, People's Democratic Forum, People's Union for Civil Liberties, Reach Law, Sadhane, Samanatha Mahila Vedike, Sadhana Mahila Gumpu,Samara, Samvada, Sanchaya Nele, Sangama, Suraksha, Swathi Mahila Sangha, Vijaya Mahila Sangha, Vimochana, Visthar and many other individuals and organizations)

Police Notice

victims of illegal evictions

12 NOV - Media Coverage

2008-11-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

http://mid-day.com/news/2008/nov/121108-police-diktats-hijras-homeless-amrutahalli-bangalore.htm

Hijras rendered homeless

By: Savie Karnel

Date: 2008-11-12
Bangalore:

A police diktat has left hundreds of hijiras homeless in the city.

The Amrutahalli police station issued a notice to house owners in Dasarahalli asking the landlords to meet the police inspector.

The police notice dated November 9, 2008, has been issued by the Inspector, Amrutahalli Police Station to house owners in Dasarahalli. While the owners were entitled to rent out their houses to hijras, it had come to the notice of the police that immoral activities were being carried out in their houses.

Breaker

In this connection, a criminal case was registered in Sampigehalli police station and an inquiry initiated. Those who were named in the police notice were asked to appear before the police failing which they would be held responsible.

The landlords have asked the hijiras to vacate the houses. "Yesterday, my landlord suddenly asked me to leave. I was in a fix and didn't know what to do. I was on the streets with my things. I dressed up as a man and I am now staying with a friend. I had paid Rs 5,000 as advance. But the landlord has cut Rs 2,500 and given the rest. Now I have to collect money for the advance of another house," said Jacinta, who does not want to disclose her name out of fear that she may not get another house.

Sarita (name changed) could not find an auto to travel and ferry her belongings. "Auto drivers refused to take me saying that we kidnap children. I was left in the lurch. I too am looking for a house now. I don't know if I will get any. The police and the media have made generalisations and accuse us of forcibly castrating children and pushing them into prostitution. It is not true," she said.

'Don't generalise'

Madhumita, who does not want her name changed like others, said the police were victimising them.

"Let the police investigate into what actually happened in Sampigehalli. Why are they generalising? We have a right to live. You cannot just ask anyone to vacate. Where will we go? I do not have friends and am living in a lodge. Just this morning, my landlord said that I had to vacate. The police threatened the landlords verbally, telling them to make us vacate the house. Nearly 400 hijiras have become homeless," she said.

Campaign for Sex Workers and Sexual Minorities Rights, a collective body of organisations fighting for sexual minorities, has urged the police to withdraw the notice.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/12/stories/2008111260590400.htm

Landlords pressure transsexuals in Dasarahalli to vacate homes

Clyde D'Souza

Action follows castration of under-aged boy in which accused is transsexual

Police had issued notices to house owners to 'take action' against their transsexual tenants

We are not harassing transsexuals: police

BANGALORE: Several transsexuals residing in Dasarahalli area were rendered homeless on Tuesday after being pressured by their landlords to vacate their homes.

This action is attributed to the fallout of a case reported last week involving the illegal castration of an under-aged boy.

The area is home to a number of transsexuals and the Amruthahalli police had issued notices to the house owners to "take action" against their transsexual tenants.

Leaders of the transsexual community, who have been complaining of harassment, say the entire community is being targeted though they had no role in the crime.

While a couple of transsexuals vacated the houses before 5 p.m., the deadline set by the owners, several others waited nervously in front of their houses, worried about their future.

Though the police deny visiting the area, The Hindu is in possession of a copy of the notice the police issued personally to the house owners on Sunday. "We are a peaceful community and around 100 of us live here. The owners of around 40 houses have received the evacuation notice which states that action will be taken if they do not comply," Kanta, who has been rendered homeless, told The Hindu.

"We have been living here for nearly seven years with no problems. The owners support us and have no issues with us since rent is always paid on time."

People like Smitha hope some non-governmental organisation will come to their aid.

"It is impossible to vacate our homes with no notice period. We too are human and must be given our rights. We are helpless and have nowhere to go."

Subha Chako, secretary of Sangama, a sexuality rights organisation, said: "The house owners say they have a good relationship with the transsexuals who are always prompt with their rent. Then why are they being victimised? There are no criminal cases against them."

Police denial

When contacted, Basavaraja Y. Malagatti, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-East Division) said: "We are not harassing transsexuals. We have not even entered Amruthahalli. The house owners themselves are asking them to go as an innocent boy was kidnapped and his sex was forcibly changed by the accused, who is a transsexual."

Meanwhile, the Bangalore City Police have sent a team to Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh to arrest the doctor, Naganna, who is said to have conducted the sex reassignment surgery.

(Names of all transsexuals have been changed.)

Media Coverage 8 NOV 2008 (Kumbakonam)

2008-11-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

Media Coverage - 8 NOV 2008

2008-11-08T04:18:00.000-08:00

Media Coverage - 6 NOV 2008

2008-11-08T04:16:00.000-08:00

Press Release - 7 NOV 2008 (Kozhikkode @ Calicut, Kerala)

2008-11-07T22:00:00.000-08:00

KOZHIKKODE (CALICUT, KERALA) RALLY

7TH NOVEMBER, 2008

OVER 100 SEXUALITY MINORITIES STAGED A RALLY IN KOZHIKKODE, KERALA, PROTESTING OVER THE BRUTALITY BEING UNLEASHED ON THE SEXUALITY MINORITIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN BANGALORE, AND EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY TO THE VICTIMS OF POLICE TORTURE IN THEIR FIGHT FOR EQUALITY AND JUSTICE.
THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS , HOLDING PLACARDS AND BANNERS AND RAISING SLOGANS FOR THE CAUSE OF THE SEXUALITY MINORITIES , STAGED A 40- MINUTES RALLY BEFORE THE RALLY CULMINATED AT MANANCHIRA GROUND, WHERE THE RALLY MERGED INTO THE CROWD OF GENERAL PUBLIC, NUMBERING OVER 300, ALREADY GATHERED.
LEADERS OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ADDRESSED THE GATHERING . LATER THE CROWD GATHERED LIT CANDLE LIGHTS EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY TO THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY AND JUSTICE.
THE RALLY AND LIGHTING OF CANDLES WAS ORGANIZED BY FOUNDATION FOR INTEGRATED RESEARCH IN MENTAL HEALTH(firm) IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CBOs IN NORTH KERALA.
THE PROGRAMME STARTED BY 4.30 PM ENDED BY 6.45.PM.

Photos 7 NOV 2008 (Kumbakonam)

2008-11-07T20:30:00.000-08:00

Photo 7 NOV 2008 (Calicut)

2008-11-07T19:10:00.000-08:00

Photos - 7 NOV 2008

2008-11-07T05:52:00.000-08:00

Press Release - 7 NOV 2008 (National Day of Action)

2008-11-07T05:51:00.000-08:00

Press Release

07^th Nov 2008

Dear Madam/Sir,

Sub: National Day of Action against physical and sexual assault of human rights defenders by Banashankari Police

Campaign for Sexworkers and Sexual Minorities Rights and its allies across India have observed today as the National Day of Action in many cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Calicut (Kerala), Dharwad, Ramnagara, Dhoddaballapura, Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu) by holding various public actions including public rallies, public meetings, public demonstrations, candlelight protests etc.. Sexual minorities and their supporters have raised the united voice against the brutal violence by Banashankari Police.

Bengaluru also ended its week of action today through the public rally from Townhall to Bannappa Park. The rally attened by around 500 sexual minorities and human rights defenders was held from 11am to 12 noon. An overwhelming number of activists who had gathered for the rally were hijras who expressed their anger by shouted slogans against the police violence on sexual minorities and human rights defenders. Some of the slogans include “Stop sexual abuse in Police Stations”, “Dissmiss ACP H. T. Ramesh”, “Dismiss Police Inspector Shivashankaramurthi”, “Banashankari police are goonda police”, “Banashankari police – violators of human rights”, “Condemn police violence on hijras and human rights activists”, “Condemn police torture” and ” Dismiss guilty police”. The rally ended at the Bannappa Park with movement songs.

Following programs were held in diffrent cities today:

1. Delhi 11am to 1pm Public Protest in front of Karnataka Bhavan, Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri. A memorandum submitted to the resident commisisoner

2. Calicut 4pm to 6pm Public Rally from PM Taj Road to Mananchira Square, Candlelight demonstration at Kidson Corner

3. Dharwad 11am to 1pm Public Rally from Dharwad Bus Stand to District Commissioner’s Office. A memorandum submitted to the District Commissioner

4. Ramnagara 10am to 12pm Public Demonstartion at Kanakapura Busstand Circle. A memorandum submitted to the District Commissioner

5. Kumbakonam 5pm to 6pm Dharna at Gandhi Park

6. Dhoddaballapura 11am to 1pm Public Demonstartion at Kanakapura Busstand Circle. A memorandum submitted to the District Commissioner

7. Hyderabad 10am to 6pm Distribution of leaflets across twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad

The campaign is meeting soon to chalkout the future plans to pressurize the government for its demands.

For more information contact: Lakshmi-9845113792, Gurukiran-9880365692

Yours faithfully

Revathi A.

for CSMR

Press Release - 6 NOV 2008 (Women in Black)

2008-11-07T03:46:00.000-08:00

Press Release

06^th Nov 2008

Dear Madam/Sir,

Sub: Women In Black organised by CSMR to defend the human rights of sexworkers and sexual minorities and to denounce brutal police violence on peaceful human rights defenders.

Campaign for Sexworkers and Sexual Minorities Rights (CSMR) have organised a week long protest against the brutal violence on human rights defenders by the Banashankari police personnel on 20^th November 2008.

On November 6, around 300 human rights activists held a Women in Black vigil at the BDA Shopping Complex in Banashankari. Dressed in black, standing in silence with placards and candles in their hands they drew attention to this barbaric act of violence against hijras and human rights defenders perpetrated by the police. This action drew its inspiration from the global Women in Black movement that stands in silent protest against all acts of violence and wars against women in different countries and cultures. The Women in Black actions in India were initiated in Bangalore at the time of the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 to protest against the increasing politics of fundamentalism and communalism within the country.

CSMR sent the Memorundam letters to Prime minister, Chief minister of Karnataka, Minister of Law justice and Human rights karnataka, DG and IG of police karnataka, minister for child and women development of karnataka, chief justice of karnataka high court minister for home-karnataka, chair person of karnataka state human rights commiossion, minister for health &family welfare karnataka, KSAPS, Chairperson of UPA, NACO, chairperson of national comminion for women, minister of NHRC.

On 5^th November 2008 , over four hundred human rights activists got together at Banashankari BDA Complex, Bangalore. Those gathered in support included those working on the rights of dalits, women, workers, students, youth urban poor, religious minorities, sexual minorities, sexworkers, people living with HIV and on the issues of environemnt, peace, working for communal harmony, cultural activists, Students (UTC), activists working for social change and many organisations across Karnataka state came together to participate in the human chain to show solidarity and support to sexuality minorities and sex workers in Bengaluru. The response from the public for all events has been one of solidarity and support.

On 4^th November 2008 through Gandhigiri Hijras and sexual minorities visited important police stations in Bengaluru and gave flowers, leaflets, reports and information on sexual minorities to the police, to sensitise them on their issues. They assured their support to sexual minorities. For a few people’s fault in the community punishing entire community is wrong and cannot brand a community as criminals. They stated this clearly to the police. More than 70 police stations visited by sexual minorities.

On 3^rd November 2008 CSMR distributed more than one lakh leaflets about this issue all over Bangalore in 35 locations. After reading the leaflets many people have come farward to support the struggle.

Program outside Bangalore on NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION (7th November, 2008)

Bangalore - Public Rally and Public Meeting

Delhi - Dharna

Calicut - Public Rally

Hubli-Dharwad

Ramanagar - Dharna

Doddaballapura - Dharna

Hyderabad/ Secunderabad

Kumbakonam - Dharna

Programs will also be held in Kolkatta (9th November), Mumbai (13th November) and Chennai (14th November)

We request you to kindly pubish this note in your papers and support us in the programmes of the campaign.

For further information contact :- Sumathi – 9845165143, Lakshmi: 9845113792 & Gurukiran: 9880365692.

In Solidarity

Revathi

Director (Sangama)

on behalf of CSMR

Photos - 6 NOV 2008 (Women in Black)

2008-11-07T03:41:00.001-08:00

Press Release - 5 NOV 2008 (Human Chain)

2008-11-05T06:24:00.000-08:00

Press Release

05^th Nov 2008. Bengaluru

Dear Madam/Sir,

Sub: HUMAN CHAIN organised by CSMR to defend the human rights of sexworkers and sexual minorities and to denounce brutal police violence on peaceful human rights defenders

Campaign for Sexworkers and Sexual Minorities Rights (CSMR) is organising a week long protest against the brutal violence on human rights defenders by the Banashankari police personnel on 20^th November 2008.

On 5^th November 2008 , over five hundred human rights activists got together at Gandhi statue, MG road, Bangalore. Those gathered in support included those working on the rights of dalits, women, workers, students, youth urban poor, religious minorities, sexual minorities, sexworkers, people living with HIV and on the issues of environemnt, peace, working for communal harmony, cultural activists, Students (UTC), activists working for social change and many organisations across Karnataka state came together to participate in the human chain to show solidarity and support to sexuality minorities and sex workers in Bengaluru. More than 500 people gathered near Mahatma Gandhi statue and formed a human chain as a symbol of support holding hands with each other and being part of the struggle for rights of sexual minorities and sex workers. The police too were present in large numbers in precaution and support. The human chain was formed from the Chinnaswamy stadium to LIC building on M.G.Road. This action is also bringingout into the pubilc, the atrocities by the police towards sexual minorities, sex workers and marginalised Communities. Activists carried banners demanding the dismissal of the guilty police of the October 20^th incident. The response from the public for all events has been one of solidarity and support.

On 4^th November 2008 through Gandhigiri Hijras and sexual minorities visited important police stations in Bengaluru and gave flowers, leaflets, reports and information on sexual minorities to the police, to sensitise them on their issues. They assured their support to sexual minorities. For a few people’s fault in the community punishing entire community is wrong and cannot brand a community as criminals. They stated this clearly to the police. More than 70 police stations visited by sexual minorities.

On 3^rd November 2008 CSMR distributed more than one lakh leaflets about this issue all over Bangalore in 35 locations. After reading the leaflets many people have come farward to support the struggle.

In the month of November 2008 groups from different parts of India like Karnataka (Bangalore Urban, Anekal, Hubli, Ramanagar,Dharwad) on 7^th Nov.08, Delhi on 7^th Nov.08 , Mumbai on 13^th Nov.08, Kolkatta on 9^th Nov 08, Calicut, Hyderabad(Not confirmed) Chennai on 14^th Nov.08, are organising protests as National day of solidarity action condemning the police brutal violence on sexuality minorities.

DATE	TIMING	EVENT
06 Nov	5PM to 7PM	Women in Black in Banashankari BDA Complex Area
07 Nov	11.00 pm to 1.00 pm	Public Rally and Public Meeting

We request you to kindly pubish this note in your papers and support us in the programmes of the campaign.

For further information contact :- Sumathi – 9845165143, Lakshmi: 9845113792 & Gurukiran: 9880365692.

In Solidarity

Revathi

Director (Sangama)

on behalf of CSMR

Photos - 5 NOV 2008 (Human Chain)

2008-11-05T06:14:00.000-08:00

Media Coverage - 5 NOV 2008

2008-11-05T00:52:00.000-08:00

Press Release - 4 NOV 2008 (Hijras give flowers to Police)

2008-11-04T22:14:00.000-08:00

04th Nov 2008, Bengaluru

Dear Madam/Sir,

Sub: Through Gandhigiri sexual minorities and hijras distribute flowers to police.

Campaign for Sexworkers and Sexual Minorities Rights have organised a week long protest against the brutal violence on human rights defender by the Banashankari police personnel on 20th November 2008.

On 4th November 2008 through Gandhigiri Hijras and sexual minorities visited important police stations across Bengaluru and gave flowers, leaflets, reports and information on sexual minorities to the police, to sensitise them on their issues. Most of the police people were happy to receive flowers and information from sexual minorities. They assured their support to sexual minorities and said that they had to take this action due to the complaints they received. To this sexual minorities responded saying the guilty should be punished whether they are sexual minorities or genaral public. For a few people’s fault in the community punishing entire community is wrong and cannot brand a community as criminals. They stated this clearly to the police. Enclosed is the list of police stations visited by sexual minorities.

On 3rd November 2008 CSMR distributed more than one lakh leaflets about this issue all over Bangalore in 35 locations. Leafletting was done by sexual minorities and human rights activists to gain support from the general public by speaking with them one to one. After reading the leaflets many people have come farward to support the struggle including Auto Driver’s union, well known advocate Sunil and Mr. Mohan from an Ad company. Different people expressed that hijras should not be marginalised and left at the fringes of the society. He openly expressed his solidarity to our struggle.

On 2nd November 2008 Hijras and sexual minorities held community meetings in 8 locations of Bangalore and discussed in detail the blatant human rights violations perpetrated by the police of Banashankari station on the human rights defenders. They said in this hour of crisis they would come together strongly and protest the human rights violations by creating public awareness about sexual minority community.

On November 1st 2008 on the occasion of Karnataka Rajyotsava, a medical camp was organized in Kamalanagar Slum from 10.30am to 4.30 pm. In the medical camp there were 4 doctors, 5 nurses, 2 lab technicians ( sexual minorities) and 22 hijra social workers who rendered service. Society looks down upon hijras and sexual minorities as criminals, immoral, insensitive, inferior, rude etc. Through this camp they proved how sensitive and caring they are. The people who had come to the medical camp voiced that such programmes should be conducted regularly and were highly appriciative of this effort.

On 7th November 2008 groups from different cities including Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Calicut, Hyderabad, Chennai etc are organising protests acrooss India as part of National day of Action condemning the police brutal violence on sexuality minorities.

Future events:
05 Nov, 5.30PM to 6.30PM - Human Chain near Mahatma Gandhi Statue, M.G Road, Bengaluru
06 Nov, 5PM to 7PM - Women in Black near Banashankari BDA Complex, Bengaluru
07 Nov, 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm - Public Rally and Public Meeting

We request you to kindly pubish this information in your publication and support our campaign.

For further information contact :- Sumathi – 9845165143, Lakshmi: 9845113792 & Gurukiran: 9880365692.

In Solidarity

Revathi
Director (Sangama)
on behalf of CSMR

List of police stations visited by sexual minorities on 4th November 2008 through Gandhigiri

1. City Police Commissioner's Office
2. ACP, DCP, SP (Bangalore), IGP Prison
3. Beggars Colony
4. Jayanagar Police Station
5. Ashok Nagar Police Station
6. Banashankari Police Station
7. Basavanagudi Police Station
8. Chikkapete Police Station
9. City Market Police Station
10. Commercial Street Police station
11. Girinagara Police Station
12. Upparpete Police Station
13. Hebbal Police Station
14. J.C.Nagar Police Station
15. J.P.Nagar Police Station
16. Kalasipalya Police Station
17. Koramangala Police Station
18. Ulsoor Gate Police Station
19. Madivala Police Station
20. Magadi Police Station
21. Malleshwaram Police Station
22. Peenya Police Station
23. Rajajinagar Police Station
24. R.T.Nagar
25. Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station
26. K.R.Puram
27. Mico Layout Police Station
28. K.R.Puram Police Station
29. Frazer Town Police Station
30. Jalahalli Police Station
31. Shivajinagar Police Station
32. KSRTC Out post Police Station
33. Electronic City Police Station
34. Yalahanka Police Station
35. Wilson Garden Police Station
36. Byyappanahalli Police Station
37. Shrinagar Police station
38. Sanjay Nagar Police station
39. Vivek Nagar Police station
40. Yashwanthpur Police station

Photos - 4 NOV 2008 (Hijras give flowers to Police)

2008-11-04T18:17:00.000-08:00

Press Release - 1 NOV 2008 (Mediacal Camp)

2008-11-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

Press Note

1st Nov 2008, Bengaluru

Dear Madam/Sir,

Sub: week of Action for Sex Workers and Sexual Minoroties Rights.

Campaign for Sexual minorities and Sexworkers Rights (CSMR) is organising a week long Action program in Bengaluru starting from November 1 to November 7, 2008. On November 1st, on the occasion of Karnataka Rajyotsava, a medical camp was organized in Kamala Nagar from 10.30am to 4.30 pm

In the medical camp there were 4 doctors, 5 nurses, 2 lab technicians (sexual minorities) and 22 hijra social workers who rendered service. During the medical camp,general check up (fever, cold, cough etc.) Blood group check up, height and weight were provided. Children (500), Women, middle aged and old aged women and men (300) availed of the facilities.
Society looks at the community (hijras/ sexual minorities) as criminals and stigmatizes them. As part of Karnataka Rajyotsava, by organizing a medical camp, they have shown that they are caring people.

The people who had come to the medical camp highly appriciative of it, They voiced that such programmes should be conducted regularly and invited us to come soon to organize another medical camp. There was a lot of enthusiasm among all and people were jostling with each other to go for the check up.

As part of the week action of the Campaign for Sexworkers and Sexual minorities rights will organize:

02 November, 2008, 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Internal discussions within the sexual minority & sexworker communities in different parts of Bengaluru City

03 November, 2008: 11.00 am to 6.00 pm
Leaflet distribution throughout Bengaluru City

We request you to kindly carry this news in your newspaper/ TV and support our campaign.

For further information contact : Lakshmi: 9845113792 & Gurukiran: 9880365692.

In Solidarity
Revathi
Director (Sangama)
on behalf of CSMR

Photos - 1 NOV 2008 (Medical Camp)

2008-11-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

Press Release - OCT 24, 2008 (Bengaluru Press Conference)

2008-10-30T04:33:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE

Bangalore, 24th October, 2008

Sangama and Karnataka Sexworkers Union along with other human rights organizations held a press conference today, 24th October, 2008 (Friday) from 1:30pm to 2pm the Press Club of Bangalore. People who addressed the the press conference include:
1. A. Revathi - hijra activist and Director (Collectivisation), Sangama
2. Sumathi Murthy – Sufi singer, Advocacy Officer, Sangama
3. Sowmya – hijra activist and a leader of Samara (state wide community organization of sexual minorities and sexworkers)
4. B. T. Venkatesh – human rights activist and senior advocate
5. Siddharth Narrain – human rights activist and legal researcher from Alternative Law Forum
6. B. N. Usha – women’s rights activist from Hengasara Hakkina Sangha and official representative of Campaign for Sexual Minorities Rights

B. N. Usha said announced the actions by the Campaign for Sexual Minorities Rights:
1. One week of continuous programs in Bangalore starting soon.
2. Massive Rally and Public Meeting in Bangalore on the National Day of Action, simultaneous programs will be organized by various groups in different parts of India on that day
3. Public hearing in Bangalore

Yours faithfully

Elavarthi Manohar
Bangalore
Email: manoharban@gmail.com

PRESS NOTE

Police purging hijras out of Bengaluru

Police subject hijras and human rights defenders to
illegal detention and arrests, custodial torture and sexual assault

As India progresses, reaching out to the moon, Bengaluru has become a dangerous city for its citizens. especially the most vulnerable, and any one who dares to support them. In the last few weeks, there seems to be a drive against hijras in particular and any person without a secure place of work or livelihood security. These vulnerable people are being arrested, beaten and harassed by the police. In an age where street dogs and cattle are being enumerated, government employees are getting massive pay hikes, the transgenders are seen as totally unworthy of any attention. There is neither any data of how many people we are talking about and a total blank on how they can meet their basic needs to survive with dignity. Housing, health support and ration cards are a distant dream for them. The only recognition that these sections of society get is when they are targeted by the police in drives like these. In our beautiful city that needs to be sold to investors and welcome tourists there is no place for many of us. It is only a matter of time when we are targeted.

Arrest and Abuse of 5 Hijras: At 11am on 20th October, police catch 5 hijras near a traffic signal in the Girinagar police station limits and take them to the police station. In the station, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), H. T. Ramesh beats one of them with a lathi, breaks her bangles and makes her bleed. Police force another hijra to clean the floor of the police station. Police later charge them with false charges under section 341 (wrongful restraint) and 384 (extortion) of the IPC (Indian Penal Code). They were produced before the magistrate at 7:30 pm and were sent into judicial custody. All through this the hijras were handled by policemen and no medical treatment is given to the injured hijra in police or judicial custody. These 5 people were released on bail on 22nd October, 2008.

Arrest and Torture of Sangama Crisis Team Members: On receiving a phone call from the 5 hijras in the police detention, 5 activists of the Crisis Team (Madesh, Dilfaraz, Savitha, Sahana and Kokila) of Sangama, a sexual minority human rights and health organization visit Girinagar police station and enquire about the detention of 5 hijras. On request from the police the crisis team members go to the Banashankari police station and meet the ACP and the Police Inspector (PI) Shivashankara Murthi to resolve the problem. The ACP and PI were abusive and behave in a derogatory manner without any provocation. Their verbal abuses include “Are you a man or woman?” “Take out all your clothes, let me check what you have there?” “Check if he is wearing an underwear?” “Strip them” “How dare you come to my area to support hijras” “Do you make blue films?” “Are you beggars?” “Ganchalli thorisidhare nimmannoo olagade haakthivi”. The ACP slaps Dilfaraz four times and asks police to arrest the activists and book them under ganja-apheem case. The PI slaps Madesh two times. PI keeps a big wooden block on Madesh’s head, the ACP said ‘Oh you have taken centre crop, I will beat you here and your head will break in the centre’

On receiving a phone call from the crisis team members Chandini and Rosy (activists from Sangama) reach the Banashankari Police Station at around 3pm. At this point the Banashankari police brutally attack Madesh and Dilfaraz with hands and lathis, kick them and drag them into a police van and move them to Girinagar police station by force. When police men come near Savitha, Sahana and Kokila to hit them, the activists warn the police of the serious consequences of policemen touching women. The police back off. In Girinagar police station, policemen sexually abuse Madesh and Dilfaraz in the name of finding if they were male or female. Later Girinagar police detain Savitha, Sahana and Kokila along with Madesh and Dilfaraz. All of them were booked under Section 143 (unlawful assembly), 145 (joining unlawful assembly ordered to be dispersed) and 353 (obstructing government officials in performing their duty) of the IPC. They were produced before the magistrate at 8.45 PM and were sent into judicial custody. These 5 crisis team members were released on bail on 22nd October, 2008.

Human Rights Activists gather at the Banashankari Police Station: On hearing this around 150 human rights activists and lawyers from various organizations working on issues of women, dalits, workers, communalism, environment, health, sexual minorities, sexworkers and so on gathered outside the Banashankari police station. Activists tried to negotiate with the ACP and PI unsuccessfully twice to get Madesh and Dilfaraz back. At around 7pm activists started a peaceful protest in front of the police station and start shouting slogans against police atrocities.

Illegal detention and Custodial Torture of 6 activists: At 7:30pm, on the ACP’s request a delegation of 6 six activists start a dialogue with the police officials inside the station. The delegation includes Manohar (Karnataka Sexworkers Union, founder of Sangama), Yashoda (Karnataka Dalit Mahila Vedike), Sumathi (Sufi singer, member of LesBiT), Jayaram (Garment and Textile Workers Union), Chandini (Sangama), Sowmya (Samara). The ACP and PI said ‘It was wrong to hit people in our custody. We know that. We are asked by the senior officials to beat them up. Leave your people and go home. We will not release them even if you go to the Chief Minister. We have orders from the senior officials to round up all hijras on the streets of Bengaluru and book them under extortion cases. We are only following the instructions of our seniors. You go out and do a protest in front of Police Commissioner’s Office’. When questioned about the unlawful actions of the police the ACP shouted ‘arrest these people and beat them up’. The ACP, PI and a few other policemen brutally hit the delegation members with hands and lathis on their neck, legs and back and pushed them into the lockup. At around 8:30pm ACP, PI and 2 other policemen get the six delegates out of the lockup and hit them brutally and sexually assault 4 women and hijras. These activists have to fight a lot even to access drinking water and toilet facilities. At around 11pm police leave these delegates without any charges.

Lathi charge on peaceful protesters and arrest of 31 activists: At around 7:45 pm, after illegally detaining 6 delegates, police came out and started beating up people holding cameras and chased them away to prevent recording of any proof of police excesses. Police declared that they were arresting the activists and asked them to get into the police vehicles. When activists demanded the release of the 6 delegates in the lockup, policemen brutally and mercilessly attacked activists (women, men and transgenders). Policemen pushed 31 activists (including 1 hijra, 3 female-to-male transsexuals, 9 women and 18 men) into a small van. They were made to suffer for 7 hours inside a small van and were not even given food to eat. They were under extreme stress, almost dehydrated and suffocated by this ordeal, finally they were provided a can of water by midnight. All of them were booked under Section 143 (unlawful assembly), 145 (joining an unlawful assembly ordered to dispersed) and 353 (obstructing government officials in performing their duty) and were taken to the residence of the magistrate. Senior advocate BT Venkatesh and a number of human rights lawyers were waiting near the residence when the activists were brought. The police went into the residence of the magistrate and came back and without producing the activities they tried to take back the accused in the van. BT Venkatesh and other advocates immediately stopped the police van and protested this and demanded that accused be immediately produced before the magistrate. Police’s ploy was to avoid magistrate recording the assault and violence committed by police on the activists. At 1:30am after all the protests the police were forced to produce the accused before the magistrate. The magistrate informed BT Venkatesh and other lawyers that the police informed him that they were no advocates present and that there were large contingent of protesters. After recording the details of the assaults suffered by the accused the magistrate directed the police to take them to Bowring hospital for medical examinations as most of them sustained major injuries due to police violence. These 31 activists were released on bail on 22nd evening. Police starved these people and denied them medicines when they were in 20-hour long police custody .

Campaign for Sexual Minorities Rights launched: The Girinagar and Banashankari police actions show their complete disregard to the laws of the land. Brutal police attacks on human rights defenders and peaceful protestors is a clear violation of fundamental rights guaranteed by our constitution. These actions threaten our democracy itself. In this context we came together to launch the ‘campaign for sexual minorities rights’ to defend fundamental rights of sexual minorities. The campaign will dialogue with social movements and expand public discourse for equal rights and non-discrimination. We appeal to all democratic forces to join us in this struggle to reform the colonial police attitudes towards hijra community and to sensitize society on hijra issues.

Our Demands:
1. Dismiss the guilty police including H. T. Ramesh (ACP) and M. Shivashankara Murthi (PI); and prosecute them for the crimes (assault, abuse, sexual assault and illegal detention) committed against human rights defenders
2. Take immediate steps to stop the brutal police violence (physical and sexual) against hijras and sexworkers in Bengaluru and punish the perpetrators of violence
3. Protect the rights of hijra community for their traditional livelihood options including sexwork and blessings, or provide them with a reasonable option.
4. Initiate immediate measures to fulfil the obligations of the government so that hijras and other transsexuals have access to education, employment, health, housing, sex-change procedures, savings and credit facilities etc.

Quote in police custody: ACP HT Ramesh keeps a big wooden block on Madesh’s head and says:
‘Oh you have taken centre crop, I will beat you here and your head will break in the centre’

Campaign for Sexual Minorities Rights
No. 9 ABABIL, Patel Cheluvappa Street, J C Nagar (MR Palya), Bengaluru - 6, India, Phone: 23438840/43, Mobile: 9845165143, Email: advocacysangama@gmail.com
(Constituents: Alternative Law Forum, Aneka, Environment Support Group, Garment and Textile Workers Union, Hengasara Hakkina Sangha, Jyothi Mahila Sangha, Karnataka Dalit Mahila Vedike, Karnataka Komusouhardha Vedike, Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum, Karnataka Sexworkers Union, LesBiT, Lawyers Collective, Openspace, Pedestrian Pictures, People’s Democratic Forum, People’s Union for Civil Liberties, Sadhane, Samanatha Mahila Vedike, Sadhana Mahila Gumpu, Samara, Samvada, Sanchaya Nele, Sangama, Suraksha, Vijaya Mahila Sangha, Vimochana and many other individuals and organizations)

Living Conditions of Hijras: Hijras are one of the most stigmatized and marginalized sections of our society. Most of them discontinue their education due to physical and sexual harassment in schools. Most of them migrate to big cities and join hijra communities after their families and neighbors reject them. They are denied inheritance. As they cannot afford expensive sex-change procedures they go for nirvan (surgical removal of penis and testicles) and live as women. Lack of education coupled with severe sexual harassment in workplaces denies them most employment opportunities that are available to others. Most of them survive by the traditional occupations of sexwork and blessings. As they need to be on the streets for these occupations they become easy prey for the police and goondas.

They are ridiculed in public spaces – bus/train, public toilets, cinema halls, public parks, markets, places of worship and hospitals. They are forced to live in the slums in the city outskirts. Most of them are denied voting rights, ration cards, bank accounts, insurance, driving license and old age pension. They have to pay more than others for house rent and auto rickshaw travel. They are not treated like citizens, and not even like human beings. No wonder that most of them carry low self-esteem and depend heavily on alcohol. Who is responsible for this? Their transgender desire or our social intolerance?

Demands

2008-10-29T00:48:00.000-07:00

1. Dismiss the guilty police including H. T. Ramesh (ACP) and M. Shivashankara Murthi (PI); and prosecute them for the crimes (assault, abuse, sexual assault and illegal detention) committed against human rights defenders

2. Stop the brutal police violence (physical and sexual) against hijras and sexworkers in Bengaluru and punish the perpetrators of violence

3. Protect the rights of hijra community for their traditional livelihood options including sexwork and blessings, or provide them with a reasonable option.

4. Initiate immediate measures to fulfil the obligations of the government so that hijras and other transsexuals have access to education, employment, health, housing, sex-change procedures, savings and credit facilities etc.

Media Coverage - 25 OCT 2008

2008-10-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

Peaceful Protest in front of Banashankari Police Police Station on 20th October, 2008

2008-10-25T10:00:00.000-07:00