Cops block transsexuals from visiting Sabarimala
They Complain Of Harassment By Police
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Kottayam:17.12.2018
Police on Sunday stopped four members of transsexual community from heading to the Sabarimala shrine. After being stopped at Erumeli, they returned to Kottayam where they met district police chief Harisankar, with whom they lodged a complaint that they were ill-treated by police at the Erumeli station.
Regarding their demand to visit Sabarimala, Harisankar advised them to approach the three-member committee appointed by the high court. They reached the state capital by Sunday evening and they said they were given appointment to meet the panel at 10am on Monday.
It was Avantika, 24, Ananya, 26, Trupthy, 33 and Renjumol, 30, all based in Ernakulam, who were sent back by police. Renjumol said they were under police surveillance ever since they had decided to visit Sabarimala.
During their journey, police were in contact with them and as they reached Erumeli they were asked to report at Erumeli police station by around 3am. Renjumol said that they were treated badly at the station and were asked to return. Avantika in a Facebook post said that police questioned their identity. “They asked us to change from the sari we were wearing to another dress (trousers and shirts) if we were to proceed to Sabarimala. We wanted to trek up to Sabarimala in our own identity,” she said.
Police took a stand that the transgender members in the attire of women could not be allowed to proceed to Sabarimala. However, the TS members took a stand that since they have observed all the rituals and customs required to visit Sabarimala and since they don’t have any restrictions being a TS community member they will not back out from their pilgrimage.
“We had given letters to the district police chief and district collector seeking protection for visiting the hill shrine,” Renjumol said. Harisankar said a final decision on allowing them to trek will be taken after getting the legal advice of the high court-appointed three-member panel.
A a decision could be made only after getting legal clarity on the SC verdict, he said, adding that he would look into the harassment complaint.
SEEKING JUSTICE: The transsexual community members at Kottayam SP’s office on Sunday
They Complain Of Harassment By Police
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Kottayam:17.12.2018
Police on Sunday stopped four members of transsexual community from heading to the Sabarimala shrine. After being stopped at Erumeli, they returned to Kottayam where they met district police chief Harisankar, with whom they lodged a complaint that they were ill-treated by police at the Erumeli station.
Regarding their demand to visit Sabarimala, Harisankar advised them to approach the three-member committee appointed by the high court. They reached the state capital by Sunday evening and they said they were given appointment to meet the panel at 10am on Monday.
It was Avantika, 24, Ananya, 26, Trupthy, 33 and Renjumol, 30, all based in Ernakulam, who were sent back by police. Renjumol said they were under police surveillance ever since they had decided to visit Sabarimala.
During their journey, police were in contact with them and as they reached Erumeli they were asked to report at Erumeli police station by around 3am. Renjumol said that they were treated badly at the station and were asked to return. Avantika in a Facebook post said that police questioned their identity. “They asked us to change from the sari we were wearing to another dress (trousers and shirts) if we were to proceed to Sabarimala. We wanted to trek up to Sabarimala in our own identity,” she said.
Police took a stand that the transgender members in the attire of women could not be allowed to proceed to Sabarimala. However, the TS members took a stand that since they have observed all the rituals and customs required to visit Sabarimala and since they don’t have any restrictions being a TS community member they will not back out from their pilgrimage.
“We had given letters to the district police chief and district collector seeking protection for visiting the hill shrine,” Renjumol said. Harisankar said a final decision on allowing them to trek will be taken after getting the legal advice of the high court-appointed three-member panel.
A a decision could be made only after getting legal clarity on the SC verdict, he said, adding that he would look into the harassment complaint.
SEEKING JUSTICE: The transsexual community members at Kottayam SP’s office on Sunday
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