Most of them are men who do not even shave their hair. They just wrap a sari and forcibly collect money, said Vyjayanti Vasanta Mogli, TS Hijra Intersex Transgender Samiti.

By | Published: 12:13 am

Hyderabad: Shunned by society already, the transgender community in city is now under attack from fakes. A few fraudsters are dressing up as transgenders and fleecing the public at multiple places, giving the original transgender community in the city one more nightmare to battle with.

With their bright clothes, loud make-up and the signature clapping of hands, it was once easy to recognise a transgender even on busy streets. However, with more than one recent incident of fraudsters impersonating transgenders, the problem seems to be growing out of proportion in the city. Last week, a gang of people masquerading as transgenders and trying to get some money from a newly opened store were countered by a few transgender women in the city.

“We had invited a few transgenders for the opening of our store as it is considered good luck. It was only after another group barged in and started arguing with them that we realised that the ones who came first were fake,” said Hritesh Patel, owner of the store.

Members of the Suraksha Society for LGBT Rights said a few persons dressed up as transgenders were defaming the whole hijra and transgender communities in the city. “These people dressed up as transgenders forcibly collect money from shop owners, pedestrians and people at traffic signals. Genuine transgenders do not do that. Last year we got some of them arrested, but they are out on bail and are continuing to do the same,” G Krishna, president of Suraksha Society, said.

“These people were also caught forcing children and youth from poor families to dress up as hijras and beg for money. The police should take some strict measures and stop this menace,” he said.

Krishna further said that shop owners usually give a small group of transgender people a minimum of 1,100 rupees and the money can sometimes go up to exorbitant sums in lieu of their good wishes.

According to an age-old custom, transgenders blessing newborns, house-warmings, weddings and other occasions is considered auspicious in most parts of the country. They are believed to possess certain mystical powers, because of which their blessings and curses, both are considered effective.

Vyjayanti Vasanta Mogli of Telangana Hijra Intersex Transgender Samiti says there were several persons masquerading as transgenders and bullying people.

“Most of them are men who do not even shave or cut their hair. They just wrap a sari around a shirt and come out to behave rudely with people and forcibly collect money,” Vyjayanti said.

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