Transgender athlete who was born a male cleared to play in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League after not receiving a response from India
Transgender cricketer Anaya Bangar has been cleared to pursue a place in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League from March 2027. The 25-year-old, who is the daughter of former India cricketer and national batting coach Sanjay Bangar, received confirmation under Cricket Australia’s Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy. The decision makes Bangar eligible for elite domestic women’s cricket in Australia once she satisfies the policy’s requirements. However, it does not guarantee her a WBBL contract. She must still attract the interest of a franchise and earn selection through her performances. Bangar has also been cleared to play women’s community and Premier Cricket across Australian states and territories with immediate effect. She described Cricket Australia’s decision as a major breakthrough after previously fearing her playing career had ended. ‘It is a great day for me, especially after knowing the fact that I can play cricket,’ Bangar told The Indian Express. ‘There was a stage when I thought I would never play cricket again, but thanks to Cricket Australia, it has given me another chance.’ Bangar underwent gender-affirming surgery in Thailand in March 2026. Cricket Australia’s elite policy requires transgender women to keep their serum testosterone concentration below 10 nanomoles per litre for at least 12 months. Players must also comply with ongoing monitoring requirements. ‘I am now eligible to play in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia from March 2027 onwards,’ Bangar told Bombay Times. ‘For me, this is incredibly emotional because there was a point when I genuinely believed I had lost cricket forever.’ Bangar previously played in Mumbai’s youth cricket system as a top-order batter and all-rounder. She trained and competed alongside players including Indian Test cricketer Sarfaraz Khan before later moving to the United Kingdom, where she continued playing and training with local clubs. Her immediate task will be finding an Australian club and rebuilding her match fitness through community and Premier Cricket. ‘The next challenge is to get myself into the best possible physical and competitive shape and put myself in a position to be considered by a WBBL franchise,’ she said. ‘I still have to train, compete, perform and earn that opportunity.’ WBBL clubs recruit international cricketers through overseas-player contracts and the competition’s draft system. That means Bangar must first demonstrate that she can perform at the required level before any franchise considers adding her to its squad. ‘The WBBL has an overseas-player contracting and draft system, where clubs select from the pool of available international players, like it happens in the IPL or the WPL,’ she said. ‘So ultimately, I still have to convince a franchise that I can contribute to their team. ‘For me, that means getting back into competitive cricket in Australian leagues, working on my batting, bowling, fielding and fitness, training consistently and demonstrating that I can perform at that level.’ Cricket Australia’s domestic rules differ from those governing international women’s cricket. The International Cricket Council ruled in 2023 that transgender women who experienced male puberty could not compete in international women’s matches, regardless of whether they had undergone surgery or testosterone treatment. The policy applies to ICC-sanctioned international cricket but does not prevent national governing bodies from establishing their own eligibility rules for domestic competitions. Bangar also contacted the Board of Control for Cricket in India last year to determine whether she could play women’s cricket in the country. She said she had not received a response. A BCCI official subsequently said the governing body had not established a formal policy covering transgender women in domestic cricket. By JOSH ALSTON, SPORTS REPORTER Courtesy : Daily Mail Note: This news is originally published on https:/dailymail.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Three LPG cylinders, free bus travel for women, transgenders – what CM Vijay announced in TN assembly
NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday announced a set of welfare measures in the state Assembly, including three free cooking gas cylinders a year for eligible beneficiaries and an expansion of the fare-free bus travel scheme for women. Under the cooking gas scheme, the amount for the three cylinders will be credited directly to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries. Vijay announced the launch of the Vetri Payanam scheme, expanding the existing fare-free bus travel programme for women across the state. Under the scheme, women will be allowed to travel free of charge on Express, LSS and Deluxe government buses operating in metropolitan and urban areas. For inter-district travel, the benefit will cover ordinary-fare government buses in mofussil and hilly areas. The scheme will come into effect from October 2, marking the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Vijay said there would be no income ceiling or restriction on the number of trips under the programme. Transgender persons will also be eligible for free travel. “No riders like income ceiling or number of trips for women to avail fare-free bus travel,” Vijay added. Vijay had earlier outlined several welfare measures in his election manifesto, including six free LPG cylinders a year for every family, up to 200 units of free electricity, a monthly assistance of Rs 2,500 for women below the age of 60, and family health coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh. 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 Police Trainee Found Hanging In Bathroom In Bihar
The victim, identified as Avanthika Sindhu, was a resident of West Champaran district. She was among a batch of 500 trainees sent from Patna Police Lines to Jamalpur for training. Transgender Police Trainee Found Hanging In Bathroom In BiharThe body has been sent for postmortem examination.Munger: A transgender woman constable undergoing police training in Bihar’s Munger district was found hanging in a bathroom on Sunday, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. The constable, Avanthika Sindhu, had reportedly been unwell for the past few days and was alone in the barracks when the incident occurred. Sindhu was a resident of West Champaran district. She was among a batch of 500 trainees sent from Patna Police Lines to Jamalpur for training. The batch includes 16 transgender personnel. The incident took place at the BSAP-9 camp in Jamalpur. According to colleagues, Avanthika had been unwell for the past few days and had not been taking part in training activities. On Sunday, the entire batch had gone to the training ground, while Avanthika remained in the barracks due to her poor health. When fellow trainees returned in the evening and began looking for her, they found her hanging in the bathroom. She was immediately taken to a primary health centre, where she was declared dead. Mithilesh Kumar, Commandant, BSAP Camp told the reporters, “It appears to be a case of suicide. The woman was found in the bathroom with a cloth towel tied around her neck.” Soon after receiving information about the incident, BSAP-9 Commandant Mithilesh Kumar, DSP Dr Arjun Kumar Gupta and Jamalpur Station House Officer Pankaj Kumar Paswan reached the camp and began an inquiry. Officials also questioned personnel staying in the barracks. Police are probing the case from multiple angles, including the circumstances inside the camp and the constable’s health condition. Investigators are also examining her personal life and external contacts to determine if any other factors may have contributed to her death. According to police sources, her mobile phone and personal contacts are also being subjected to technical examination to determine whether any pressure, dispute or other factor may have been involved. However, police said no conclusions can be drawn until the investigation is completed. The body has been sent for postmortem examination. Commandant Mithilesh Kumar said the constable’s family had been informed about the incident. Station House Officer Pankaj Kumar Paswan said the exact cause of death would be known only after the postmortem report and technical investigation are completed. Edited by: Anwesha Singh Courtesy : NDTV Note: This news is originally published on https:/ndtv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Free LPGs, expanded free travel for women, transgender persons; Parandur Airport scrapped: TN Vijay
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced that three LPG cylinders would be provided free of cost every year to 1.34 crore families in the State. He also announced the expansion of the free bus travel scheme for women and transgender persons, which is currently limited to ordinary buses. Under the new ‘Vettri Payanam Thittam’, they will be allowed to travel free of cost on mofussil buses operating between districts, as well as express and deluxe buses operated by the MTC in Chennai and by transport corporations in Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchy and other cities. The scheme will come into effect on October 2. Making the announcements under Rule 110 in the Assembly, Vijay also said the proposed second airport at Parandur had been dropped and the government was exploring alternative sites for the project. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Parliament passes Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026 with Rajya Sabha approving it today
Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday by a voice vote amid an Opposition-led walkout. The bill seeks to redefine the category of transgender, removes the provision of self-perceived gender identity and excludes several socio-cultural identities as well as transmasculine individuals from its ambit. It also further defines transgender persons within a biological framework, based on intersex variations and differences in sexual development. Replying to the discussion on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said the government is compassionate towards the well-being of the transgender community. He said the Bill has provisions to empower the transgenders and give them dignity. The Minister said that the NDA government has taken several initiatives to bring transgender people to the mainstream and stop discrimination against them. Starting the discussion in the Upper House, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said this bill dilutes the privacy of an individual provided under the Constitution. Opposing the Bill, Ms Chowdhury said self-identification cannot be taken away through bureaucratic certification. Criticizing the government, she said that the proposed bill undermines the fundamental rights and dignity of transgender persons. Calling such a move wrong and illegal, she argued that forcing transgender persons to provide their identity through official certificates is against the spirit of equality and dignity guaranteed by the constitution. She also questioned the government’s approach for not properly consulting with the transgender community before bringing the Bill. She also referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark NALSA judgement of 2014, which recognized the right of transgender persons to self-identify their gender. Ms Chowdhury said the proposed Bill violates the principles laid down in that judgement and fails to respect an already established legal framework. DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva also opposed the Bill, saying that even if the Bill is passed in Parliament with a majority, it will be struck down by the Supreme Court. He further added that the Bill violates Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution and it deprives the community of the right to freedom, dignity and self-determination. Supporting the Bill, BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni said, ” This Bill ensures justice, dignity, protection from criminalisation and legal safeguards for transgender persons. She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing this bill with certain amendments in order to ensure that the benefits reach the deserving people in a proper manner. She said there is a need for a law that brings justice to real transgender individuals and punishes fake ones. Mrs Kulkarni said the benefits should be extended to those who are transgender by birth. She said that the amendment to extend punishment will bring down the rate of crime and forced identities. TMC’s Saket Gokhale said that 31% of Transgender people in India have attempted suicide because of the discrimination that they are facing. He alleged that now the government is going to start discriminating against them as though social discrimination were not enough. He called it unacceptable. Mr Gokhale expressed concern that gender is going to be decided by the Chief Medical Officer and a District Magistrate, and the bill does not prescribe any qualifications for the Chief Medical Officer. Sanjay Singh of AAP said the Bill is a big let-down for the transgender community. He accused the government of not doing anything for the community. RJD’s Manoj Kr Jha said that prejudices against transgender people should stop, and they should be able to live with dignity. He added that self-determination of gender should not be taken away. CPI(M)’s John Brittas said it is a black-letter day and the Bill is taking India a century back. He pleaded with the government to either withdraw the Bill or refer it to a Select Committee. Jaya Bachchan of the Samajwadi Party also questioned the government over the legislation. She sought to know what the urgency was in bringing the Bill, without examining it with the depth and care that it deserved. Courtesy : NOA Note: This news is originally published on https:/newsonair.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Hypnotised’ Mumbai airhostess gave Rs 200 ‘dakshina’ after rape by ‘transgender’: Cops
MUMBAI: Powai police arrested Anil Shinde, 28, from Kalwa within four hours after an FIR was registered at 11 pm on Tuesday in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 25-year-old airhostess at a Powai flat. Shinde allegedly posed as a transgender person and entered the building through gate number two after being stopped by a security guard at gate number one. Police said Shinde approached the airhostess on the pretext of curing her husband’s illness and warding off the evil eye. He allegedly took her to a bedroom and sexually assaulted her before she raised an alarm. He fled after collecting Rs 200 from the airhostess and Rs 100 from an 85-year-old man who owned the flat as dakshina. Ironically, police said, Shinde earned only Rs 300 from the two residents but spent Rs 1,200 on an autorickshaw that he hired from Kalwa to travel to Powai and return home after the alleged offence. Shinde first approached the building through gate number one around 12.15 pm but was stopped by the security guard. He then allegedly bypassed the security arrangements and entered through gate number two around 12.20 pm.“Warnings have been circulated asking people not to allow any stranger to enter the house. Luckily, in this case, the two women were not harmed or attacked. So far, no criminal history has been found against Shinde,” said a police officer from Powai police station. After entering the building, Shinde knocked on the doors of several flats on an upper floor before the 85-year-old resident on the ground floor opened the door. Police said Shinde gained the senior citizen’s trust by chanting mantras and claiming that he could ward off the evil eye, which he said was causing illness. The elderly man then introduced Shinde to the airhostess, who has been staying as a paying guest in the flat for the past six months. Shinde allegedly told her that he could help cure her husband, who is currently hospitalised with dengue after travelling to Mumbai from Varanasi, where he works, earlier this week. “He frequently visits his wife. Shinde took the airhostess to the bedroom and sexually assaulted her before she raised her voice after realising that something was wrong. The senior citizen was completely unaware of the incident. Before leaving, Shinde asked both of them for dakshina, and they gave him Rs 200 and Rs 100 respectively,” said a police officer. After the airhostess approached Powai police and registered a complaint at 11 pm, DCP Datta Nalawade supervised a team led by senior inspector AS Sawant, inspector Sushant Bandgar, sub-inspectors Ramchandra Pinjarkar and Sandeep Patil, and other police personnel. Police first traced the autorickshaw driver after identifying the vehicle through CCTV footage. The driver then led the police to Kharegaon slum in Kalwa, where he had dropped Shinde. Police said Shinde had travelled nearly 40 km in the same autorickshaw — from Kalwa to Powai and back — after allegedly committing the offence. Fearing police action, he also stopped begging for the day and returned home. “Shinde paid Rs 1,200 to hire an autorickshaw for the nearly 40-km journey from Kalwa to Powai and back after committing the offence. In total, he earned only Rs 300 from his dubious dealings before fleeing home. He is not a transgender person but an impostor who roams around the city to beg. Depending on his travel plans, he hires a rickshaw. He earns around Rs 1,000 a day by begging,” said sub-inspector and investigating officer Ramchandra Pinjarkar. Shinde was booked for rape and criminal intimidation and remained in police custody until August 24, police said. He was arrested within four hours of the FIR being registered on Tuesday night. 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
Myna becomes first transgender appointee in Karnataka agri varsity
Mandya: University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Mandya, has appointed a transgender person as an assistant at its Krishi Vigyan Kendra, becoming the first agricultural university in Karnataka to do so, officials said. Myna was selected for the post through the prescribed recruitment process. A mechanical engineering graduate from BTL Institute of Technology and Management, Bengaluru, Myna passed out in 2015 with 71.7% marks. UAS Mandya vice-chancellor KC Narayanaswamy said the selection was based solely on merit, education and ability. He said the appointment would inspire transgender youth to pursue higher education, seek employment and become self-reliant. Expressing happiness over the appointment, Myna said securing a government job through education, hard work, self-confidence and perseverance had been a long-cherished dream. Agricultural universities are currently located in Bengaluru, Dharwad, Raichur, Mandya and Shivamogga. 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
Mumbai: Man Posing As Transgender Rapes Powai Woman on Pretext of Blessing Her With Child, Arrested
A 30-year-old man reportedly posed as a transgender person, entered a woman’s house in Mumbai’s Powai area and sexually assaulted her on the pretext of blessing her with a child. The accused, identified as Anil Shinde, was later arrested. The police nabbed accused Anil Shinde, 30, from Kalwa after tracing the autorickshaw which he had taken from the building. A 30-year-old man reportedly posed as a transgender person, entered a woman’s house in Mumbai’s Powai area and sexually assaulted her on the pretext of blessing her with a child. The accused, identified as Anil Shinde, was later arrested. The police nabbed accused Anil Shinde, 30, from Kalwa after tracing the autorickshaw which he had taken from the building. Woman Alone With Elderly Relative When Accused Entered Home The woman, who has been married for around five years, lives with her husband, who was away at the time of the incident, and an elderly relative, The Indian Express reported. The couple do not have a child, and Shinde used it as a pretext to enter the home and perform a ritual to bless them with a child. Shinde then s*xually assaulted the woman and fled the house with INR 2,000 on Wednesday afternoon, police was quoted as saying. The police nabbed the accused the same night after tracing the autorickshaw, which he had taken from the building after assaulting the woman. Befriended on Instagram, 14-Year-Old Girl Lured to Nalasopara Chawl and Gang-Raped; 2 Minors Arrested. How The Crime Took Place Anil Shinde allegedly arrived at the flat on Wednesday, posing as a transgender person, when the elderly relative of the couple opened the door for him. The woman’s husband was at work at that time. He initially pretended to bless the elderly woman, police was quoted as saying. But during his conversation with her, Shinde learnt that there was a young woman in the house and had no child despite being married for several years. He then offered to perform a ritual on the woman that would bless the couple with a child. He allegedly spoke to the young woman for some time and then asked her to lie down on the bed, police said. He first touched her head on the pretext of performing the ritual and then touched her inappropriately and raped her, the Indian Express report added, citing police. Raipur: 16-Year-Old Raped by Father, Passed Off as Adult; Newborn Sold, 8 Arrested. Woman Realised She Was Assaulted An Hour Later She realised that she had been s*xually assaulted almost an hour after Shinde left the house, telling her that she would be soon blessed with a child. Shinde demanded money before leaving, and the woman allegedly gave him INR 2,000. After realising that she had been raped, the woman informed her husband, and the couple approached Powai police station that evening. The police registered a rape case and began examining the CCTV footage from the building and surrounding areas, in which they allegedly spotted Shinde boarding an autorickshaw. He was traced to Kalwa and was detained on Wednesday night. Accused Was A Man Posing As Transgender, Police Probe Similar Cases During the investigation, police found that Shinde was indeed a man who was posing as a transgender person. He has been arrested and produced before a court, which remanded him to police custody till Monday. Police are now investigating if Shinde may have used a similar modus operandi to carry out similar crimes. Women and Child Helpline Numbers: Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 21, 2026 08:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). By Team Latestly Courtesy : LatestLY Note: This news is originally published on https:/latestly.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Transgender influencer Jaanmoni Das held over anti-Modi remarks linked to NEET paper leak protest
KOZHIKODE: Transgender make-up artist and social media influencer Jaanmoni Das was arrested by Kozhikode Cyber Police on Thursday over alleged derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his family in a video linked to protests over the NEET question paper leak, police said. Das and two others who had shared the video on social media were summoned by the cyber police, questioned and arrested, officials said. After evidence collection, interrogation and other procedures were completed, all three were released on bail. The case followed a complaint filed by BJP Mahila Morcha state president Navya Haridas on July 27. According to police, Das allegedly made the remarks in the context of protests over the NEET question paper leak. A video containing the alleged remarks subsequently circulated widely on social media. After the video triggered a controversy, Das posted an apology and said the remarks were made because of a lack of knowledge of the language. The case has been registered under Sections 192 (provocation for causing riot) and 356(2) (criminal defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 120(o) (causing nuisance) of the Kerala Police Act. Police said all the offences invoked in the case are bailable. Das, who had shot into the limelight after appearing on a popular Malayalam reality show a few years ago, spoke to reporters after leaving the police station and said she had provided investigators with all the information they sought. She alleged that the case was an act of revenge over her participation in a Cockroach Janata Party protest in New Delhi against the NEET question paper leak. Das said the controversial video did not contain her own statement and claimed that she had only translated into another language a statement made by someone else in Hindi. “That was not my statement. I just translated what another person said. It shouldn’t have come from my mouth, and I have apologised for it. But still, people are targeting and bullying me,” Das said. She also said she was not a politician and had travelled to New Delhi to take part in the protest after several students from Kerala participated in it. 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
Parliament passes Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026 with Rajya Sabha approving it today
Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday by a voice vote amid an Opposition-led walkout. The bill seeks to redefine the category of transgender, removes the provision of self-perceived gender identity and excludes several socio-cultural identities as well as transmasculine individuals from its ambit. It also further defines transgender persons within a biological framework, based on intersex variations and differences in sexual development. Replying to the discussion on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said the government is compassionate towards the well-being of the transgender community. He said the Bill has provisions to empower the transgenders and give them dignity. The Minister said that the NDA government has taken several initiatives to bring transgender people to the mainstream and stop discrimination against them. Starting the discussion in the Upper House, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said this bill dilutes the privacy of an individual provided under the Constitution. Opposing the Bill, Ms Chowdhury said self-identification cannot be taken away through bureaucratic certification. Criticizing the government, she said that the proposed bill undermines the fundamental rights and dignity of transgender persons. Calling such a move wrong and illegal, she argued that forcing transgender persons to provide their identity through official certificates is against the spirit of equality and dignity guaranteed by the constitution. She also questioned the government’s approach for not properly consulting with the transgender community before bringing the Bill. She also referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark NALSA judgement of 2014, which recognized the right of transgender persons to self-identify their gender. Ms Chowdhury said the proposed Bill violates the principles laid down in that judgement and fails to respect an already established legal framework. DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva also opposed the Bill, saying that even if the Bill is passed in Parliament with a majority, it will be struck down by the Supreme Court. He further added that the Bill violates Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution and it deprives the community of the right to freedom, dignity and self-determination. Supporting the Bill, BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni said, ” This Bill ensures justice, dignity, protection from criminalisation and legal safeguards for transgender persons. She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing this bill with certain amendments in order to ensure that the benefits reach the deserving people in a proper manner. She said there is a need for a law that brings justice to real transgender individuals and punishes fake ones. Mrs Kulkarni said the benefits should be extended to those who are transgender by birth. She said that the amendment to extend punishment will bring down the rate of crime and forced identities. TMC’s Saket Gokhale said that 31% of Transgender people in India have attempted suicide because of the discrimination that they are facing. He alleged that now the government is going to start discriminating against them as though social discrimination were not enough. He called it unacceptable. Mr Gokhale expressed concern that gender is going to be decided by the Chief Medical Officer and a District Magistrate, and the bill does not prescribe any qualifications for the Chief Medical Officer. Sanjay Singh of AAP said the Bill is a big let-down for the transgender community. He accused the government of not doing anything for the community. RJD’s Manoj Kr Jha said that prejudices against transgender people should stop, and they should be able to live with dignity. He added that self-determination of gender should not be taken away. CPI(M)’s John Brittas said it is a black-letter day and the Bill is taking India a century back. He pleaded with the government to either withdraw the Bill or refer it to a Select Committee. Jaya Bachchan of the Samajwadi Party also questioned the government over the legislation. She sought to know what the urgency was in bringing the Bill, without examining it with the depth and care that it deserved. Courtesy : NOA Note: This news is originally published on https:/newsonair.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights