Bengaluru Police Issues Guidelines on Complaints Involving Transgender Persons

The Bengaluru City Police have issued a set of guidelines to govern how complaints involving transgender persons are handled, following reports of harassment, aggressive demands for money, obstruction of traffic and other unlawful conduct at public places.

Complaints have been received from traffic signals, markets, bus and railway stations, residential neighbourhoods and venues hosting functions and ceremonies, according to the police.

Under the new directives, police stations have been told to verify the facts and circumstances behind every complaint — whether it involves aggressive solicitation of money or alms, obstruction of public or vehicular movement, threats, abusive behaviour, assault or harassment — and to take appropriate legal action in line with the law.

Stations have also been asked to identify spots within their jurisdictions that generate repeated complaints and to step up patrolling in those areas.

Alongside enforcement, the guidelines call for regular interactions with members of the transgender community to spread awareness against involvement in unlawful activities. The public, in turn, is to be informed about the immediate steps they can take when faced with harassment or a violation of the law.

The directives stress that public order and the smooth movement of traffic must be maintained while simultaneously protecting the legal rights, dignity and respect of transgender persons. Personnel have been specifically instructed to avoid derogatory, insulting or abusive language and to use respectful, non-discriminatory language while acting against violations.

The Commissioner of Police has directed all officers and personnel of the city force to comply strictly with the guidelines.

Members of the public have been advised not to panic during such incidents and to contact the 112 emergency helpline immediately, share details of what occurred and lodge a complaint at the nearest police station.

The move has drawn a cautious response from within the transgender community. Rakshitha Mallikarjuna, a transwoman and social activist, acknowledged that there have been instances of transgender persons forcing people to give money or behaving rudely. She argued, however, that the measure could invite excessive action against an already marginalised community and create the impression that all transgender persons behave alike.

"We demand respect. Whatever money comes should be accepted without demanding or forcing. But why is seeking alms or any action by a transgender person being specifically notified against, while men, women, and even children are not warned against in a similar manner? Such measures may give the police the power to act against the community," she said.