A shocking and deeply concerning incident has emerged from Bengaluru, where a 24-year-old transgender woman was allegedly kidnapped, subjected to severe assault, illegally detained, and had her head forcibly shaved. The perpetrators are believed to be members of her own community, with the motive suspected to be a dispute over ‘gharana’ (community lineage or group) affiliation.
The distressing event unfolded between October 30 and 31. The victim has been identified as Sukanya, a resident of Roopena Agrahara in Viratanagara, falling under the jurisdiction of the Bommanahalli Police Station.
Initial reports indicate that Sukanya was abducted from Krishnarajapuram on October 30, around 3 p.m. She was then taken to Roopena Agrahara, where she endured a night-long ordeal, allegedly being beaten with a wooden stick and a ladle. Her attackers reportedly demanded that she remain affiliated with their ‘gharana’ permanently and forbade her from joining any other group. In a cruel act, her head was forcibly shaved, seemingly intended to ‘erase her identity as a woman,’ before she was held captive until the following day.
Fortunately, advocacy groups, including Sangama and the Movement for Gender and Sexual Pluralism (MGSP), swiftly intervened. Their efforts led to the police rescuing Sukanya and promptly registering a First Information Report (FIR) against the assailants.
In a unified statement, Sangama and MGSP vehemently condemned the horrific act. They confirmed that they are providing comprehensive support to Sukanya, encompassing legal assistance, medical care, psychosocial counseling, and ensuring her safety. Both organizations have urgently called upon the police and state authorities to guarantee Sukanya’s protection and ensure immediate legal action is taken against those responsible for this violence.
Furthermore, the advocacy groups have urged the Department of Women and Child Development to collaborate closely with organizations dedicated to gender and sexual minorities. This collaboration aims to prevent such incidents from recurring and to consistently uphold the fundamental rights and dignity of transgender individuals throughout the State.