3 transgenders attacked in Thane by MNS workers

Police say they were begging, MNS workers allege that they were involved in prostitution; all three admitted to hospital

Three transgender people were beaten up brutally in Thane, allegedly by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers, including women, late on Sunday.

MNS workers beat up a transgender in Thane. (praful gangurde/ht)

The three victims were taken to Thane civil hospital; one of them has suffered serious injuries and has been moved to another hospital.

“They were involved in prostitution. We made several complaints, but officials did not remove them from the spot,” said one of the accused, on condition of anonymity.

Around 20 people got together on Sunday near Majiwada bridge in Thane where the three victims usually operate, police sources said.

V Darekar, senior police inspector from Kapurbawdi police station, said the trio was only standing and begging on the side of the road and were not involved in prostitution. “They are not regulars at the spot, in fact they are seen there rarely,” he said. “We have got medical reports and based on that we have registered a case against the MNS’ Thane president Avinash Jadhav and 20 other party workers, including six women. We are in the process of tracing the accused. We have summoned Jadhav to record his statement, then we will take action.”

A video of the incident is doing the rounds on social media.

“It’s sad that in our society we are not given any rights. We have been created like this, it’s not our fault. If we are accepted and have options, things would be different. Even if we are educated and qualified, we don’t get jobs, and if at all someone hires us, there is always discrimination,” said a transgender from Thane, requesting anonymity. “Our members were beaten up badly, they were bleeding profusely.”