Transgenders Appeals KCR Govt to Ban “Kojja” Word

Transgenders Appeals | Hyderabad, Feb 22 (Maxim News) Trans Gender strongly condemns the derogatory word “Kojja” (a derogatory term used for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questing intersex (LGBTQI people) by the ruling BRS Mla Shankar Naik and reverse comments by Y.S Sharmila of YSR Telangana Party founder replying using same derogatory words to her political opponent.

They demanded the Telangana government headed by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar to ban such usage of the word “Kojja” in the state and request to come up with legislation on the same for anti-discrimination and anti-exploitation of transgender’s persons in the state.

Speaking to Press Persons, here today, Rachna Mudraboyina, Telangana Transgender Welfare Board Member along with Monalisa – Telangana Transgender peoples Association, Jasmine – Trans Equality Society Vishnu Tea – Asthitvam Foundation, Nanditha Shekhar – Trans Rights Activist, Neethu Nampally – Mathroochaya Foundation, Avanthika Thangella, Prema Jyothi Foundation, Saimon Bandela – Darpan Foundation and Anjali Kalyanpu – Sewanjali Foundation today, they said as a biggest democratic nation celebrating 75 years of the diamond jubilee of independence of our country, as an Indian society we are still emerging in terms of LGBTQI rights in getting equal constitutional rights and human rights to our communities which has been pushed to the fringes of the society being ostracised.

Transgenders Appeals

From basic amenities. Such identity further marginalizes and dehumanizes the transgender community by throwing them into the darkness of violence with their not only physical bodies but also dispelling the dignity of pride in being a citizen of this nation.

Such use of derogatory terms (kojja) by people’s representatives is giving dangerous signals of further marginalization of LGBTQI people further prone to society not only to verbal violence but which may in time translate to physical violence also.

This is not only inhumane but also illegal, Transgender persons (protection of rights ) Act 2019, Rules 2020. Hence here we undersigned request the Telangana government to ban such usage of the word ‘kojja’ in the state of Telangana.

SHARMILA APOLOGIZED TO TRANSGENDERS 

YSR Telangana Party President Y.S Sharmila today apologized to transgenders, 

Sharmila clarified that she had her party accord utmost respect to the transgender community and that it was only in a momentary exchange of words that she had uttered the word, but never had the intention to demean them. 

“We respect you and recognize the fact that you have a special place in our society.  I offer my apologies to you if someone feels I have hurt them.  She said that once a vote to power YSRTP will work towards their upliftment and ensure a respectable stature in society and also extend welfare schemes and loans. 

The YSRTP leader had later said that she had only responded to the MLA’s remark.  she said Shankar Naik had called her a Hijra and she had merely replied saying “who is Hijra?  aren’t you the Hijra,  ”  (Maxim News)

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