’This Resolution Will Push Us Into Prostitution,’ Say Transgenders After Pune Police Bans Them From Demanding Cash At Site visitors Junctions | File Picture
”Earlier than issuing the order, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar ought to have performed correct analysis and supplied us with various choices for our survival,” expressed Tangava Zahanur, a transgender and member of Udaan Plus NGO, to The Free Press Journal. This is available in response to Kumar’s orders prohibiting transgenders from congregating at site visitors junctions and demanding cash from commuters within the metropolis. The order additionally restricts uninvited visits to folks’s homes throughout festivities, births, and deaths.
”CCTV cameras are current at each sign. If anybody is extorting, motion must be taken in opposition to them, however why prohibit all of us? The CP wants to deal with different crimes rising within the metropolis. We’re a minority; begin a pensioner scheme and shelters for us earlier than making such choices,” Tangava added.
Zeher Khan, one other transgender, acknowledged, ”We politely beg at site visitors alerts and settle for what commuters give willingly. Authorities schemes for our group exist solely on paper and usually are not applied. If begging is banned, prostitution turns into the one possibility for survival.”
”Standing at site visitors alerts is not free; many law enforcement officials and politicians take bribes to permit us. Earlier than deciding, the CP ought to have thought of our circumstances. If we now have sufficient work, why would we resort to begging? We’ve households; stopping work impacts them,” emphasised Zeher.
Rani Patil, a member of Household Planning (an NGO working for LGBTQ people), lamented, ”This determination will push us into prostitution. It is difficult to seek out common jobs because of society’s unfavorable notion in the direction of us.”
Megha Helode, one other transgender, urged, ”The CP ought to present us with jobs and houses earlier than making hasty choices. We assisted folks through the pandemic and supported girls in marriages. Ignoring our contributions is unfair. His determination ought to have contain communication with a consultant from our group.”