Many Transgender Persons Heap Praise After Worship at Sabarimala

Hyderabad: Many transgender persons from the state, including from the city, visited Sabarimala, the second by the community after the ban on their entry was lifted by the Supreme Court.

Members of the group, led by Maatashree Janakamma, returned to the city after undertaking a 41-day deeksha. They heaped praise and thanked the temple authorities for welcoming them with open arms.

Earlier, the situation was quite difficult as many other devotees used to raise slogans against them and barricaded their entry after forming a human chain. After the court directions, four made their way into the temple with the help of police protection and worshiped on December 18, 2018.

Janakamma, who has been working for the community’s rights, said that she was among select persons to have visited the holy shrine after the relaxation of the ban. She was accompanied by Madhushalini, Jodha, Gopika and Deepika. The first to make it to the shrine was Nisha Kranthi and her group.

Janakamma, who is a lawyer, said “given the physical difficulties faced by us due to various surgeries, the government should provide a special queue line for us just like for the disabled and senior citizens.”

Madhushalini Chinatal, said, “When I was kid I went to Sabarimala along with my father as a boy. I am sure that many transgender persons will take up deeksha here after.”