The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Landlords pressure transsexuals in Dasarahalli to vacate homes

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Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008
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Landlords pressure transsexuals in Dasarahalli to vacate homes

Clyde D’Souza

Action follows castration of under-aged boy in which accused is transsexual

Police had issued notices to house owners to ‘take action’ against their transsexual tenants
We are not harassing transsexuals: police

— Photo: Clyde D’Souza

Nowhere to go: Transsexuals who are facing the threat of being evicted from their homes at Dasarahalli in Bangalore.

BANGALORE: Several transsexuals residing in Dasarahalli area were rendered homeless on Tuesday after being pressured by their landlords to vacate their homes.

This action is attributed to the fallout of a case reported last week involving the illegal castration of an under-aged boy.

The area is home to a number of transsexuals and the Amruthahalli police had issued notices to the house owners to “take action” against their transsexual tenants.

Leaders of the transsexual community, who have been complaining of harassment, say the entire community is being targeted though they had no role in the crime.

While a couple of transsexuals vacated the houses before 5 p.m., the deadline set by the owners, several others waited nervously in front of their houses, worried about their future.

Though the police deny visiting the area, The Hindu is in possession of a copy of the notice the police issued personally to the house owners on Sunday. “We are a peaceful community and around 100 of us live here. The owners of around 40 houses have received the evacuation notice which states that action will be taken if they do not comply,” Kanta, who has been rendered homeless, told The Hindu.

“We have been living here for nearly seven years with no problems. The owners support us and have no issues with us since rent is always paid on time.”

People like Smitha hope some non-governmental organisation will come to their aid.

“It is impossible to vacate our homes with no notice period. We too are human and must be given our rights. We are helpless and have nowhere to go.”

Subha Chako, secretary of Sangama, a sexuality rights organisation, said: “The house owners say they have a good relationship with the transsexuals who are always prompt with their rent. Then why are they being victimised? There are no criminal cases against them.”

Police denial

When contacted, Basavaraja Y. Malagatti, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-East Division) said: “We are not harassing transsexuals. We have not even entered Amruthahalli. The house owners themselves are asking them to go as an innocent boy was kidnapped and his sex was forcibly changed by the accused, who is a transsexual.”

Meanwhile, the Bangalore City Police have sent a team to Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh to arrest the doctor, Naganna, who is said to have conducted the sex reassignment surgery.

(Names of all transsexuals have been changed.)

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