Prohibition of begging: Over 200 concerned citizens write to Pune top cop opposing orders against trans persons 

The email states, “That the violation of this order will invite criminal culpability indicates that begging would be criminalised in the city for transgender as well as other persons… Further, in violation of constitutional provisions on equality and non-discrimination, penalising begging also increases the vulnerability of trans persons as well as persons from other marginalised communities, who are already more likely to face police harassment and violence as compared with other populations.”

The email further stated that Delhi High Court in the case of Harsh Mander vs Union of India, AlR 2018 Del 188 has held that laws banning begging are unconstitutional and that such measures are in violation of the right to equal protection of the law and the right to life and personal liberty.

In 2014, the Supreme Court gave its landmark judgment, awarding equal rights and legal recognition to the ‘third gender’ under the Indian constitution. The community is now seeking equal rights through the implementation of The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

“In a country like India, where Brahmins who have completed their ‘rite of passage’ ritual must ‘beg’ for alms, stating “bhavati bhiksham”, it is discriminatory to prohibit the transgender community from soliciting money at festivals, births and traffic intersections,” says Chayanika Shah, a member of LABIA Queer Feminist Collective. “The email was sent to the Police Commissioner. No one from his office has responded,” said Jeet, a member of Yes, We Exist.