Transgender found murdered on NH-316
Bhubaneswar: A transgender was allegedly stabbed to death by an unidentified assailant near Uttara Chowk in Puri district on Sunday. Police said the victim was found lying in a pool of blood along NH-316 connecting Bhubaneswar and Puri. The individual’s identity and circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established. “Prima facie, the victim sustained serious stab injuries and was immediately rushed to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, where doctors declared her dead. We are verifying the CCTV footage,” said an officer of Pipili police station. Tension gripped Capital Hospital as several members of the transgender community demanded immediate arrest of those responsible. “She called me around 8 pm and sought help. She told me that she was attacked. But she didn’t name anyone,” a friend of the deceased said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
OHRC recommends state govt to ensure 1% transgender reservation in recruitment exams
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has recommended the state govt to ensure 1% reservation for transgender candidates in different recruitment exams. The commission passed the order on Jan 22 after hearing a petition filed by a transgender from Cuttack. The petitioner alleged discrimination and violation of fundamental rights due to non-inclusion of the third gender/transgender category in the application form for the upcoming Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Exam conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC). The petitioner contended that omission of the ‘third gender/transgender’ in the online form prevented applicants like the complainant, from applying and participating in the exam on an equal footing, thereby constituting discriminatory treatment and infringing upon their rights to equality and non-discrimination. The commission, without calling for any report from govt authorities, was prima facie satisfied of the violation of human rights and disposed of the case at the stage of admission. Human rights activist Biswapriya Kanungo, quoting the OHRC order, said the Constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination under Article 14, ensuring equal protection of laws, while Article 15 prohibits discrimination on grounds of sex, which was interpreted to include gender identity. Article 16 mandates equality of opportunity in public employment, and any exclusion based on gender identity is arbitrary and violative thereof. The commission recommended the general administration and social security departments to consider inclusion of ‘third gender/transgender’ as an option in the applications forms of govt recruitment exams and to make at least 1% reservation for them, and to direct all recruiting boards and authorities, including OPSC, to do the same. As the present complaint relates to the OCS exam, for which applications are already invited, OHRC urged the state govt consider the same at the earliest by making a request to OPSC to allow a ‘third gender/transgender’ option and extend the application deadline for at least 15 days for such candidates. The order stated that govt should ensure the recommendation is carried out by all departments and its corporations. OHRC asked govt to submit a compliance report within 60 days. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Transgender succumbs to burn injuries
Virudhunagar: A 21-year-old transgender, who allegedly set herself ablaze outside Srivilliputhur Town police station on Jan 25 to protest police questioning her friend, died at Govt Rajaji Hospital in Madurai on Thursday morning. The deceased, Mutharasi, sustained 75% burn injuries and was undergoing treatment at the hospital. Police said they received a complaint regarding two transgenders, Sharmi, 22, and Isha, 24, seeking alms and behaving rudely with the public at Srivilliputhur bus stand on Sunday. A woman SI reached the spot and dispersed them. Later in the day, the policewoman noticed one of them seeking alms in another locality in the town. The SI reprimanded her and asked her to report to the station for a formal inquiry. Following this, Mutharasi, along with others, gathered outside the station demanding immediate release of the person detained. While the inquiry was in progress, Mutharasi allegedly poured petrol on herself and set herself alight outside the station. She was rushed to Virudhunagar govt medical college hospital and subsequently referred to GRH for further treatment. Srivilliputhur Town police registered a case and are conducting investigations. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Cook from Jalandhar castrated in Ludhiana transgender turf war.
Ludhiana: Police have launched a manhunt for a local transgender leader and nine associates following the abduction and forced castration of a 30-year-old cook, an attack allegedly sparked by a bitter territorial dispute. The victim, identified as Manpreet Singh of Jalandhar, was found abandoned and mutilated on a roadside on Tuesday, four days after he was reported missing. Police have claimed in their reports that Manpreet Singh worked as a cook for a transgender group led by Reshma Mahant. He vanished on the morning of Jan 24 after leaving for a walk in Ludhiana’s Khwaja Kothi Chowk area. An acquaintance of the victim, Vidhyarti Rao, has told investigators that the search for Manpreet Singh ended when an anonymous caller reported that he had been admitted to Ludhiana’s civil hospital in critical condition. “Manpreet told me that the accused and his aides abducted him, mutilated him, and dumped him on the roadside,” Rao stated in his complaint. The Investigation Police authorities believe the motive stems from a long-standing rivalry between Reshma Mahant’s group and a rival faction led by Rabina Mahant. The two groups have reportedly been at odds over “area distribution” — the informal division of neighbourhoods where transgender communities traditionally collect alms and perform at ceremonies. “We have registered a case based on the initial complaint, but the victim’s condition is critical,” said assistant sub-inspector Amarjeet Singh. “He has been referred to a hospital in Chandigarh for specialist care.” The Accused Police have registered a case against Rabina Mahant and nine others, identified as Suhana, Sona, Simmi, Kanika, Rehmat, Shiv Kumar, Dilawar, Hifazat, and Pooja. The suspects face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections 118 (1) & (2) (causing grievous hurt voluntarily by dangerous weapons) and 61 (2) (criminal conspiracy). Investigators are currently analysing mobile tower data and CCTV footage to track the suspects, who remain at large. A formal statement from the victim will be recorded once doctors declare him fit to speak. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
New program helps transgender people find work in South India
Authorities in the southern Indian city of Visakhapatnam have launched a new effort to help transgender people find stable work and live with greater dignity. The initiative, known as Mission Jyotirgamaya, is being led by the Vizag city police with support from local government bodies and community organisations. The programme was launched with the broader goal of making Visakhapatnam a beggar-free city, but officials say it focuses on providing purpose and opportunity rather than punishment. As part of the first phase, 20 transgender individuals have been hired as sanitation workers by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. In addition, five people from the community have received loans from the State Bank of India to help them start small businesses. City police commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi said the programme is based on the belief that everyone deserves respect and a chance to build a better life. “Every individual has a right to live with dignity,” he said, adding that beggars and transgender people should be given opportunities rather than ignored. Police officials said the initiative will continue to expand in the coming months. The long-term aim is to create employment opportunities for all transgender people in the city who are seeking work. The programme reflects a growing push in parts of India to promote inclusion and improve access to jobs for marginalized communities. Korina Estrada Courtesy : Transgenderfeed Note: This news is originally published on https:/transgenderfeed.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Survey pegs transgender population in Karnataka at 10,365
Bengaluru: A 2025-26 baseline survey on gender minorities submitted to the Karnataka govt on Saturday identified 10,365 transgender persons across the state. Vijayapura district reported the highest number of gender minorities at 1,428, followed by Chikkaballapur (1,252), Bengaluru Urban (757), Kolar (638) and Belagavi (618). The survey, conducted by the Department of Women and Child Development in association with the Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation, was carried out in 31 districts since Sept 15 last year to assess the social, educational and economic status of gender minorities. According to a statement issued by the office of Women and Child Development minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, the survey found that 10,250 transgender persons are aged above 18, while 115 are below 18. “The baseline survey was conducted to collect accurate data to understand the status of gender minorities in the state, ensure their rehabilitation and facilitate the extension of govt welfare benefits. Based on the findings, the govt will initiate further action,” the statement said. The report provides a detailed assessment of the living conditions of gender minorities, covering parameters such as education, employment, income levels, healthcare access, and social inclusion. It also outlines a set of recommendations aimed at improving welfare measures, rehabilitation and protection of rights. Among the key recommendations are priority admission for gender minorities in residential hostels, formulation of scholarship schemes for transgender children and provision of coaching facilities for competitive examinations. The report has recommended the establishment of a Gender Minority Welfare Board to address social challenges faced by the community. The objective of the survey was to help gender minorities overcome challenges such as fear, humiliation, gender discrimination, social exclusion, depression, and suicidal tendencies, the statement added. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Transgender group refutes ‘kinnar jihad’
Jaipur: After a transgender persons’ residence was set ablaze Wednesday in Mahanto ka Bagh, Adarsh Nagar, Jaipur-based transgender group 3rd Voice Thursday protested against accusations of “kinnar jihad”, which it said were an attempt by vested interests to give a religious colour to a conflict over territory. Members said terms like “kinnar jihad” were being used to spread hatred, even though the transgender community participates in the joys and sorrows of people across religions. They alleged that their house was set ablaze as retaliation for opposing such statements during a transgender akhara held last week on Friday. More than 500 transgender persons from Delhi, Punjab, Maharashtra and Rajasthan took part in that gathering. Senior community representative Deepa Bai said, “Our elders were assaulted, money was demanded, and we were threatened with eviction. This is not a religious conflict; it is a fight for dominance and control.” Another member, Rekha Bai, said threats had been coming for days. “We received death threats on WhatsApp 3 to 4 days before the incident. The night before, we were told to ‘wait till tomorrow’” she said. Transgender activist Noor Singh Shekhawat asserted, “Transgender community has neither religion nor caste. We fall under OBC category. We visit every household, Hindu, Muslim or Sikh. Our only religion is humanity.” Community member Sunita Bai added that money received as blessings is used for social welfare. “Whether it is a temple or a madrasa, a community feast or a girl’s wedding, we contribute everywhere,” she said. Local resident and retired bank branch manager Om Prakash Sharma supported the community, saying, “I have never seen religious discrimination among them.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Four transgender persons from UP to attend Republic Day parade as special guests
Gorakhpur (UP), Jan 20 (PTI) Four transgender persons from Uttar Pradesh will attend the Republic Day parade in New Delhi as special guests, marking a significant moment of recognition and inclusion for the community. They are associated with the Garima Grih shelter home in Gorakhpur and will travel to the national capital on January 24 following official protocol, District Magistrate Deepak Meena said. “I received the information through an official email. It is a proud moment for us,” Garima Grih founder Ekta Maheshwari, who has been invited to the parade, said. Ekta, 38, a native of Lakhimpur Kheri, came to Gorakhpur in 2007 and started the shelter home in 2011. “I am happy that through this shelter home, in collaboration with the central government, I am able to help transform the lives of people like me,” she added. Among the invitees is Deepika (34) from Kushinagar, who trained as a makeup artist after working with an NGO in Delhi. Heer, 21 also from Kushinagar, shared a story of her childhood struggle, social stigma and the depression before discovering her identity as a transgender person. Another invitee, Gorakhpur’s Lado, 20, who joined Garima Grih in 2019, credited her supportive family and professional training for helping her build an independent identity. PTI COR ABN PRK PRK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Robbers target transgender persons in MP’s Morena; take away gold, cash
Morena (MP), A group of robbers targeted the house of a transgender person and looted gold and silver jewellery and cash at gunpoint in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena district in the early hours of Sunday, police said. The incident took place around 2 am at the house of Rabia in Ambah town, where four other trans persons were present, Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Ravi Bhadoria told PTI. He said the robbers entered the house through the terrace, held the occupants hostage by pointing a gun at them and tied them up before taking away 15 tolas of gold jewellery, four kg of silver ornaments and Rs 4 lakh in cash in a matter of half an hour. The robbers also allegedly mocked the persons of the third gender, the official said. Ambah police station in-charge Satendra Singh Kushwaha said the robbers appeared to have recced the area and studied the layout of the house, including the CCTV system, he said. “All the victims were confined to one room,” he said. The house is located in an isolated area, Kushwaha said, adding that police were scanning CCTV footage from surrounding areas to identify the suspects. A case has been registered and investigations are underway, police said. PTI COR LAL NR This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Who is Emily Suski, the law dean hire University of Arkansas dropped within days? The transgender issue that made the offer vanish
Less than a week after announcing a new dean for its law school, the University of Arkansas reversed course. The offer made to Emily Suski, a legal scholar with a focus on health, poverty and education law, was withdrawn after objections from state politicians over her views on transgender student athletes. The decision has become a fresh example of how political pressure is shaping faculty hiring and leadership choices at public universities. A dean appointment that unravelled quickly On January 9, the University of Arkansas announced that Emily Suski, an associate dean and professor at the University of South Carolina, had been selected as the next dean of its law school after a public and extended search. The university’s provost, Indrajeet Chaubey, praised her scholarship and highlighted her work on medical and legal partnerships that support low-income children. The position came with a five-year contract and annual compensation of $350,000, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times. Within days, however, the appointment collapsed. On Wednesday, the university said it was withdrawing the offer, citing “feedback from key external stakeholders.” By Thursday, it added that it had no further statement. The amicus brief at the centre of the backlash State legislators soon made clear what the concerns were about. According to The New York Times, Suski had signed an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court last year in support of transgender student athletes. The brief, signed by Suski and 16 other legal scholars, addressed a narrow legal question: whether sex assigned at birth should be the sole factor in determining which sports teams students may join. It argued that the case before the Supreme Court should be sent back to lower courts for further review. Arkansas State Senator Dan Sullivan said the views expressed in the brief conflicted with state law. “If you look at some of her opinions to the Supreme Court and amicus briefs, I think she has not reflected the laws of the state of Arkansas,” Sullivan, a Republican from Jonesboro, told The New York Times. Arkansas was the first state to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors, a policy backdrop that has intensified scrutiny of issues related to gender identity. Political pressure and funding concerns The withdrawal of the offer did not happen in isolation. Nicole Clowney, a Democratic state representative who teaches at the law school, told The New York Times that a small number of legislators and one executive branch official threatened the university’s funding after learning about Suski’s involvement in the brief. Clowney said she viewed the episode as a free speech issue and described Suski as highly qualified for the role. The Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, Brian Evans, a Republican, said in a statement that his office was not involved in the decision. Governor’s support for the reversal Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders publicly supported the university’s move. Her spokesperson, Sam Dubke, said in a statement quoted by The New York Times, “Governor Sanders appreciates the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, for reaching the common sense decision on this matter in the best interest of students.” The case before the Supreme Court that prompted the amicus brief was argued this week, keeping the issue in national focus even as the university moved on from its decision. Suski’s response Suski issued a written statement on Thursday expressing disappointment at the reversal. “I have been informed that the decision was not in any way a reflection of my qualifications to serve as dean,” she wrote, according to The New York Times, “but rather the result of influence from external individuals.” Her academic work has centred on health, poverty and education law, including Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programmes. Before entering academia, she worked as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. A trend in higher education? The episode fits into a wider pattern. In recent months, conservative leaders have accused universities of drifting leftward, and institutions have disciplined or dismissed faculty members over speech related to gender and race. Political influence has also affected leadership choices elsewhere, including at the University of Florida, where the selection of a president was overturned by a statewide board of political appointees. At Arkansas, the law school search had been conducted publicly, with four finalists giving open presentations. The abrupt end to Suski’s appointment has prompted questions about whether universities will increasingly shield hiring processes from public view to avoid similar outcomes. For now, the University of Arkansas has said it has “decided to go in a different direction,” while the controversy around Emily Suski’s brief tenure as a dean-designate continues to ripple through debates on academic freedom, political oversight and the boundaries of university autonomy. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights