Transgenders Take Out Huge Rally In Bengaluru, Demand Rights For Community

Bengaluru: A huge rally was taken out in Bengaluru today by transgenders demanding rights for the marginalised community.

It was organised by the Karnataka Transgender Committee and saw thousands of transgenders marching from the Bengaluru city railway station to Town Hall to insist that members of the community be treated with respect.

They also demanded quashing of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that says gay sex is a crime that can lead to 10 years in jail.

The community believes that court rulings that favour them are not being implemented, including the Supreme Court's judgement that says transpersons have right to choose their gender and also guaranteed affirmative action.

Akkai Padmashali, member of the Karnataka Transgender Committee and a social activist, told NDTV, "The Supreme Court judgement in 2014 is in favour of transgender community... we demand the strong implementation needs to be done. "

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The activist said, "the Government of India is not sensitive enough. The Karnataka government has shown its lack of will to implement the transgender policy. My question - what are the political leaders, parties, legislation doing on these issues concerned...?"

"Until Section 377 is repealed ....the movement cannot be stopped here...I also demand that the Prime Minister of India should break his silence to speak about this community issues ...." Akkai Padmashali said.

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Other demands included being kept in separate cells if arrested and for only women cops to deal with transwomen who are taken into custody.