Tension prevailed outside the Vishwa Hindu Parishad office at Pardi in Nagpur late Tuesday night after nearly 300 to 400 transgenders staged a sudden sit-in protest opposing the proposed Pattabhishek ceremony of Uttam Baba, a transgender leader accused in the 2019 murder case of transgender activist Chamcham Gajbhiye.
According to protesters, the ceremony was scheduled to be held on May 6 under the aegis of VHP, where Uttam Baba was allegedly set to receive religious honors at the hands of Himangi Sakhi, a Kinnar Mahamandaleshwar. The protesting transgender community strongly objected to the event, stating that a person accused in a murder case should not be publicly honored or elevated to a religious position.The protesters warned that if the Pattabhishek ceremony proceeds, members of the transgender community may resort to self-immolation in protest.
Chamcham Gajbhiye was allegedly murdered in 2019 over a financial dispute related to money sharing. Following the incident, members of the transgender community had organized multiple protests and demonstrations demanding strict action against the accused. Protesters claimed that their continuous agitation played a major role in ensuring Uttam Baba was arrested and jailed. They also stated that whenever bail applications were filed in court over the past seven years, members of the community opposed them through legal representation.
According to the protesters, Uttam Baba, who was recently released on bail after nearly seven years in jail, has allegedly been threatening and harassing other transgender persons since his release. They alleged that several members of the community have been intimidated, assaulted, and extorted, making his proposed religious elevation a matter of fear and concern for many transgender persons.
Representatives of the transgender community also submitted a memorandum to VHP office bearers expressing their opposition to the ceremony.
VHP functionaries reportedly assured protesters that a decision would be taken only after discussions with both sides.
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