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
Bizarre Indian Tradition: Why do thousands of transgender women marry Lord Aravan and then mourn the very next day?
Transgender marriage tradition: Transgender people are a unique part of society, and learning about them is always interesting. They are neither completely male nor completely female. They are present in our festivals, and it is believed that their blessings are very powerful, so one should avoid their negativity or curses. However, their lives and customs are quite different from those of ordinary people, which is why ordinary people know very little about them. Today we will learn some surprising facts about the world of transgender people. The Mystery of Transgender Children A son is born from a man and a daughter from a woman, but if the balance of sperm and egg is equal, a transgender child is born. There have been different beliefs about this in society. Welcoming New Transgender Individuals When a new person joins the transgender community, there is a collective feast and singing and dancing. Several rituals are also performed; this welcome ceremony is a unique way of entering their community. Marriage to Lord Aravan A special festival is celebrated in Tamil Nadu. In this 18-day festival, transgender women (Aravani) marry Lord Koothandavar (Aravan), considering him their husband. The temple priest puts the ‘Thali’ (mangalsutra) on them, and they dress up like brides. This ritual is based on the story from the Mahabharata where Lord Krishna, in the form of Mohini, married Aravan. The Tradition of Mourning (Observing Widowhood) The day after the marriage, Lord Aravan’s sacrifice is commemorated. After his death, the Aravani women mourn like widows. They break their bangles, remove their mangalsutras, and wear white clothes to lament. This tradition brings to life Aravan’s sacrifice and Krishna’s grief in the form of Mohini. The Story of Shikhandi According to ancient beliefs, Shikhandi from the Mahabharata was also considered a transgender person. This is why Arjuna was able to defeat Bhishma in the war. This story shows that transgender people have a history and significance dating back to ancient times. Arjuna and Brihannala In the Mahabharata, when the Pandavas had to spend a year in exile in the forest, Arjuna lived as Brihannala. This story shows that the role of transgender people has been significant not only in society but also in history and epics. Beliefs about Origin According to one belief, eunuchs originated from the shadow of Lord Brahma. According to another belief, they originated from Arishta and Sage Kashyapa. These stories give a glimpse into the mystery and depth of their lives. The Importance of Blessings It is said that the blessings of eunuchs are very powerful. Therefore, it is considered auspicious to invite eunuchs on auspicious occasions such as weddings, birthdays, or housewarming ceremonies. Their presence is considered a symbol of good fortune and happiness for people. By: Shivani Singh Courtesy : Hindi News
After two years of including transgenders in OBC quota, Rajasthan jobs data shows none selected
The data submitted by the State to the HC shows that out of 91 transgender applicants in these two years, the maximum of 39 belonged to the General category, 19 to Scheduled Tribes, 22 to OBCs, seven to Scheduled Castes, and four to EWS communities In an ongoing challenge to the classification of transgender persons as a separate “community” within the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list, data from the Rajasthan Government has now shown that in the two years of accommodating transgender people in the reservation matrix in this manner, none of them had been brought into government services. The State government has submitted data to a Bench of the Rajasthan High Court, which is hearing a challenge to this classification of transgender persons. The government had issued a circular adding “transgender” as an entry in its existing list of OBCs in January 2023, arguing that this satisfied the Supreme Court’s directions in the 2014 NALSA case that they should be considered for reservation. Interpreting 2014 verdict The challenge to this classification, filed by transwoman constable Ganga Kumari, argued that such an interpretation of the Supreme Court’s directions in the 2014 judgment would not be correct, stressing that this classification would never be able to account for transgender people who might not be from an OBC community, instead seeking horizontal reservation for transgenders. The data submitted by the Rajasthan government’s Social Justice and Empowerment Department this week showed that the State Public Service Commission and the Staff Selection Board had together advertised nearly 15,000 vacancies from January 2023 onward. Against these, a total of 91 transgender candidates had applied; however, only 22 of them could apply under the category created for transgender people within the vertical quota for OBCs, as only 22 belonged to OBC communities. The data further showed that transgender applicants came from various backgrounds of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Economically Weaker Sections, and the General category communities. Court sought dataset While hearing this case last year, a Bench of Justices Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Anuroop Singh had, in November 2025, asked the Rajasthan government to provide data on how many transgender people, who had been given the benefit of being accommodated in the OBC list, had actually been recruited into government service. In response, the government submitted the above-mentioned dataset. The dataset showed that the maximum number of transgender applicants belonged to the General category, under which 39 candidates had applied. Apart from this, 19 of the transgender applicants belonged to Scheduled Tribes, and seven were from Scheduled Castes, with four candidates falling under EWS category. Advocate Vivek Mathur, leading the representation of the petitioner in the Rajasthan case, told The Hindu, “This data goes to show that it means nothing in the scheme of quotas to include transgender people as an entry in OBC lists, precisely because, as this data showed, trans candidates ended up competing in their respective caste categories. Maybe if these 91 candidates had competed against each other, it would have been likelier for at least some to have been selected.” Ever since the 2014 NALSA judgement, a bone of contention in providing reservation for transgender people has been the direction’s interpretation. The NALSA judgement, in recognising the discrimination faced by the community, directed that they be “treated as” socially and educationally backward for the purpose of reservations. One interpretation of this has been that of Rajasthan, and in another case in Madhya Pradesh, where this was seen as creating an entry within the existing OBC list. And yet, another interpretation of this direction, as argued in courts by activists, is that it calls for treating transgender persons as a separate category on par with socially and educationally backward classes, and not within them, which has been structured as horizontal reservation. In 2023, the Supreme Court declined to entertain a petition seeking a clarification of this point specifically, leaving it open for petitioners to approach courts. But, in separate cases, both the Karnataka High Court (2021) and the Madras High Court (2024) have accepted the arguments for horizontal reservation, enabling a percentage of quotas for transgender people within each existing category of SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and General. Abhinay Lakshman Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Transgenders in UP’s Bhadohi allege pressure for religious conversion; police order probe
Bhadohi (UP), A group of transgender people here has alleged that members of their own community pressured them to convert to Islam, police said on Thursday. Additional Superintendent of Police Shubham Agrawal said around a dozen transgenders came to the Suriyawan Police Station Wednesday evening and accused their guru, Manju Haji, and others of forcing them to embrace Islam. Agrawal said a dispute initially arose over territorial rights to alms. On January 7, a transgender, Bijli, filed a complaint alleging that Manju Haji and another transgender, Lal Chand alias Pooja, were threatening her for seeking alms in the area assigned to her. Station House Officer Manish Dwivedi called both sides for talks on the same day, but the matter could not be resolved, the officer said. On Wednesday, Bijli submitted a fresh complaint, alleging pressure to convert, insisting she is a Hindu. Agrawal said preliminary inquiry did not find evidence of forced conversion, but the new complaint had been handed over to Circle Officer Ashok Kumar Mishra for investigation. “Forcible religious conversion is a serious offence. If the probe establishes such acts, a case will be registered, and legal action will be taken,” he said. PTI COR KIS VN VN VN 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
Transgender League Gathers Pace as Jamshedpur FC’s Inclusive Football Initiative Expands
Jamshedpur: The Transgender League organised by Jamshedpur FC under its grassroots programme, the Jamshedpur Super League, continued to build momentum as the third match week concluded, highlighting growing participation, improved competitiveness, and increasing community engagement. A Platform Beyond Football For many participants, the league is more than a sporting competition. It offers visibility, dignity, and a rare opportunity to play organised football in a safe and respectful environment. Players have spoken about how the initiative has boosted confidence and encouraged members of the transgender community to step onto the field without fear or hesitation. Rising Confidence on the Pitch As the league enters its third week, teams are showing better coordination and sharper gameplay. The improvement reflects regular match exposure and a growing sense of belonging among players, many of whom are experiencing structured competitive football for the first time. Community-Driven and Inclusive The Transgender League has emerged as a strong community-led effort, supported by organisers, volunteers, and local football stakeholders. By ensuring continuity week after week, Jamshedpur FC has underlined its long-term commitment to inclusion and grassroots development. Part of a Broader Grassroots Vision Introduced within the Jamshedpur Super League framework, the Transgender League reflects the club’s wider philosophy of “football for all”. The initiative has gained recognition as one of the few dedicated football leagues for the transgender community in India, demonstrating how sport can break social barriers and foster inclusion. Teams, Players and Format The league features seven teams—Jamshedpur FT, Chaibasa FC, Chakradharpur FC, Jamshedpur Indranagar FC, Noamundi FC, Saraikela FC and Kolhan Tiger FC—comprising around 70 players from diverse backgrounds. Participants include Tata Steel employees, daily-wage labourers, small business workers and aspiring footballers. Played in a five-a-side format, the competition consists of 42 fixtures in total, with each team scheduled to play 12 matches, ensuring equal opportunity and sustained engagement throughout the season. Courtesy : The Avenue Mail Note: This news is originally published on https:/theavenuemail.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
US SC likely to uphold state bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports
The justices are evaluating claims of sex discrimination lodged by transgender people versus the need for fair competition for women and girls, the main argument made by the states The Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared ready to deal another setback to transgender people and uphold state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams. The court’s conservative majority, which has repeatedly ruled against transgender Americans in the past year, signaled during more than three hours of arguments it would rule the state bans don’t violate either the Constitution or the federal law known as Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education. More than two dozen Republican-led states have adopted bans on female transgender athletes. Lower courts had ruled for the transgender athletes who challenged laws in Idaho and West Virginia. The legal fight is playing out against the backdrop of a broad effort by President Donald Trump to target transgender Americans, beginning on the first day of his second term and including the ouster of transgender people from the military and declaring that gender is immutable and determined at birth. The justices are evaluating claims of sex discrimination lodged by transgender people versus the need for fair competition for women and girls, the main argument made by the states. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who coached his daughters in girls basketball, seemed concerned about a ruling that might undo the effects of Title IX, which has produced dramatic growth in girls and women’s sports. Kavanaugh called Title IX an amazing and inspiring success. Some girls and women might lose a medal in a competition with transgender athletes, which Kavanaugh called a harm we can’t sweep aside. The three liberal justices seemed focused on trying to marshal a court majority in support of a narrow ruling that would allow the individual transgender athletes involved in the cases to prevail. A ruling for West Virginia and Idaho would effectively apply to the other two dozen Republican-led states with similar laws. But the justices soon might be asked to decide about the laws in an additional roughly two dozen states, led by Democrats, that allow transgender athletes to compete on the teams that match their gender identity. The outcome also could influence separate legal efforts by the Trump administration and others seeking to bar transgender athletes in states that have continued to allow them to compete. The transgender athletes’ cases In the Idaho case, Lindsay Hecox, 25, sued over the state’s first-in-the-nation ban for the chance to try out for the women’s track and cross-country teams at Boise State University in Idaho. She didn’t make either squad because she was too slow, her lawyer, Kathleen Hartnett, told the court Tuesday, but she competed in club-level soccer and running. Becky Pepper-Jackson, a 15-year-old high school sophomore, was in the courtroom Tuesday. She has been taking puberty-blocking medication, has publicly identified as a girl since age 8 and has been issued a West Virginia birth certificate recognizing her as female. She is the only transgender person who has sought to compete in girls sports in West Virginia. Pepper-Jackson has progressed from a back-of-the-pack cross-country runner in middle school to a statewide third-place finish in the discus in just her first year of high school. Prominent women in sports have weighed in on both sides. Tennis champion Martina Navratilova, swimmers Summer Sanders and Donna de Varona and beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh-Jennings are supporting the state bans. Soccer stars Megan Rapinoe and Becky Sauerbrunn and basketball players Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart back the transgender athletes. In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled LGBTQ people are protected by a landmark federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in the workplace, finding that sex plays an unmistakable role in employers’ decisions to punish transgender people for traits and behavior they otherwise tolerate. But last year, the six conservative justices declined to apply the same sort of analysis when they upheld state bans on gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Chief Justice John Roberts signaled Tuesday he sees differences between the 2020 case, in which he supported the claims of discrimination, and the current dispute. The states supporting the prohibitions on transgender athletes argue there is no reason to extend the ruling barring workplace discrimination to Title IX. Idaho’s law, state Solicitor General Alan Hurst, said, is necessary for fair competition because, where sports are concerned, men and women are obviously not the same. Lawyers for Pepper-Jackson argue that such distinctions generally make sense, but that their client has none of those advantages because of the unique circumstances of her early transition. In Hecox’s case, her lawyers want the court to dismiss the case because she has forsworn trying to play on women’s teams. NCAA president Charlie Baker told Congress in 2024 that he was aware of only 10 transgender athletes out of more than a half-million students on college teams. But despite the small numbers, the issue has taken on outsize importance. Baker’s NCAA and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committees banned transgender women from women’s sports after Trump, a Republican, signed an executive order aimed at barring their participation. About 2.1 million adults, or 0.8 per cent, and 724,000 people age 13 to 17, or 3.3 per cent, identify as transgender in the US, according to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law. A decision is expected by early summer. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AP Washington Courtesy : Business Standard Note: This news is originally published on https:/businessstandard.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights