I am writing to express my profound outrage at the recent incident of violence against a transgender woman near Chennai, as reported on this site. The horrifying assault on a member of the transgender community underscores the urgent need for society to confront and address the pervasive discrimination and violence faced by women and gender minorities.

The incident, where a transgender woman was subjected to a brutal assault by a gang of men in Pammal, Chennai, is not just an isolated act of violence but a reflection of the deeply entrenched prejudices and stereotypes that continue to plague our society. Mistaken identity led to a cascade of violence, as the victim was mercilessly attacked, stripped half-naked, and tied to a pole, solely based on the assumption that she was a child kidnapper.

What makes this incident even more distressing is the fact that it was fueled by misinformation and prejudice. Despite the victim’s attempts to clarify her identity and innocence, she was met with further aggression and brutality. Such acts of vigilantism not only undermine the rule of law but also perpetuate a culture of fear and intolerance.

It is heartening to note that the police have taken prompt action by arresting the perpetrators of this heinous crime. However, it is imperative that we go beyond mere enforcement of the law and address the root causes of such violence. This includes challenging societal attitudes and biases that dehumanize and marginalize women and gender minorities.

As a student of North Eastern Hill University, I believe that education and awareness play a crucial role in combating gender-based violence and discrimination. We must strive to create a more inclusive and empathetic society where every individual is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their gender identity. North India or South India, we must call out such discrimination and violence.

Swift and stringent punishment for the perpetrators involved in this incident can be an antidote, but maybe we are ‘asking too much’ from the law enforcement system? Though the obvious way out is to take proactive measures to prevent similar acts of violence, can this insane trend of vigilantism instigated by WhatsApp forwards be stemmed? I doubt it.

As educated people, we must stand in solidarity with victims of gender-based violence and actively challenge harmful stereotypes and prejudices. But are we too caught up with our social media world to take such issues seriously?

Yours Truly,

Christina Ao

CHRISTINA AO is a student based in Shillong, Meghalaya. Opinions expressed in the VOX POP and letters columns are entirely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of this site. Letters can be sent to act.patna@gmail.com with VOX POP mentioned in the subject line.

  HATE CRIME, letters, letters to the editor, LGBT