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Cyber Bullying and Police Harassment: Trans Community Faces Double Jeopardy in Hyderabad
Recent incidents in Hyderabad have brought to the forefront the dual challenges transgender people are facing: cyberbullying and police harassment. Just a few days after the Indian National Congress held a rally to draw public attention to transgender rights, the Hyderabad City Police arrested seven trans women.
They are accused of street hawking and harassment, and stories of forced genital examinations by the police have surfaced. The event has reopened issues of instituting systemic discrimination against transgender people and the need to sensitize the police as well.
Such practices do not only infringe human rights but also contribute to a vicious cycle of violence and exclusion.
Police Actions Raise Human Rights Concerns
On September 30, 2024, during a rally attended by Minister Danasari Seethakka, police arrested seven trans women in Karkhana. The arrested included Chandni, Chitra, Mumtaz, Ashu, Sameera, Manisha, and Jayasree. According to reports from Yes We Exist and Telangana Today, the police claimed these individuals were involved in harassing motorists for money.
However, many activists argue that characterization is because of ignorance about transgender identities. A senior police official said that the group was creating a public nuisance and problems for traffic as they used to extort money from citizens at busy junctions. This is alarming for many activists who claim that these arrests are manifestations of a larger ignorance of trans issues in the police department.
One such prominent activist was Rachana Mudraboyina, who lambasted the arrests as unconstitutional and violative of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which states that a person, irrespective of their medical condition, has the right to identify their gender.
Cyberbullying: A New Form of Harassment
Besides the cases of physical harassment by police, Yes We Exist activists have stated that they suffered cyberbullying through posting their online accounts about the arrests. They claimed that fake accounts linked to the police attempted to spam their social media comments and even tried to hack their accounts. This online harassment compounds the already precarious situation faced by transgender individuals in Hyderabad.
The police’s use of social media tactics to undermine activists raises serious questions about accountability and transparency. In previous incidents, such as last year’s arrest of 19 trans women under similar circumstances, activists noted that systemic ignorance about transgender identities often leads to wrongful accusations and mistreatment.
The DCP for Hyderabad North Zone had previously described some arrested individuals as “pretending” to be transgender—a statement that reflects a lack of understanding of gender identity.
Simran, a trans woman working on bail efforts for those arrested recently, highlighted the psychological toll of both physical and online harassment. “The police personnel harassed them a lot, insulting and abusing them,” she stated. Such treatment not only violates human dignity but also perpetuates societal stigma against transgender individuals.
The Need for Systemic Change
Activists call for immediate reforms within law enforcement agencies to address these issues effectively. They argue that training programs on transgender rights should be mandatory for police officers to prevent further incidents of harassment and discrimination. Meera Sanghamitra emphasized that subjective measures—like which restroom one uses—should not dictate a person’s gender identity or legal standing.
The ongoing struggle for recognition and dignity among transgender individuals in Hyderabad highlights an urgent need for societal change.
As Rachana Mudraboyina pointed out, “The police cannot criminalize vulnerable citizens arbitrarily.”
For those interested in following this evolving story and supporting transgender rights in India, updates can be found on social media platforms like Twitter under hashtags related to the community’s advocacy efforts.
Cover Image via X/yesweexistindia
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