A WhatsApp video in which a member of an alleged Muslim outfit had spoken ill about transgenders has not gone down well with them. While transgenders from various districts have petitioned the respective police commissioners seeking action against the person in the video, some have shown contempt for trying to degrade transwomen.

In the video, a member of an alleged Muslim outfit has alleged that transwomen are trying to conceal their identity by portraying themselves as women. He had further made a mockery of their demands to the Government to issue identity cards, ration cards, patta, bus pass and retirement benefits. He has also criticised the Government for providing protection to transgenders.

The man had alleged that media was wrongfully portraying them as role models. He had also snubbed the term “third gender”, which is being widely used these days.

Sangitha, the President of the Coimbatore District Transgender Welfare Association, said that the individual in the video should be booked under various sections as he had “deeply wounded the hearts of transwomen”.

“We are being slowly accepted into society and instances like these would make the life of transwomen even more miserable,” she added.

She stated that the person, who has not been identified yet, would mislead people against transwomen who are trying to live a peaceful life.

Bharathi Kannama, a transwoman writer, said that the opinion shared by the individual is not a public opinion and that people and the Government were supportive of transwomen and did not show discrimination. “This is mere publicity and those who are behind this should be punished under the law,” she added.

Meanwhile, Coimbatore City Police Commissioner A. Amalraj said the Department would act swiftly in addressing the issue.