B’luru trans community upset at BBMP’s plan to build shelter homes for them, here’s why

Members of the transgender community in the city say that they were not consulted by the BBMP before making the final decision.

Theja Ram

Representation photo/PTI

Two years after the transgender community in Bengaluru demanded housing facilities, the city’s civic body – the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is planning to open shelter homes for members of the community. According to Nagendra Naik, the Assistant Commissioner of BBMP’s Welfare Department, the first shelter home would be opened in Upparpet, near the KSRTC bus stand in Majestic. “The shelter home can house 50 to 75 persons. We are planning to open one shelter home in Upparpet as a pilot project and gauge the response of members of the community. Based on the response, we will open more,” Nagendra Naik said. The first shelter home is expected to open by the end of June. Assistant Commissioner Nagendra says that the officials conceived the idea six months ago and have held talks with local police regarding the shelter homes. “Many elderly persons who belong to the transgender community have trouble finding housing because of the discrimination they face. We will also be providing them vocational training like candle-making, tailoring at these shelter homes,” he added. However, members of the transgender community in the city say that they were not taken into confidence by the BBMP before making the final decision. Speaking to TNM, Uma, a transgender person working for the NGO Jeeva, says that the BBMP and police have decided to use these shelter homes to prevent members of the trans community from indulging in sex work. “The police have an agreement with BBMP that any transgender person who is indulging in sex work would be dropped off at the shelter home. Many people from our community do sex work voluntarily. We will laud the police if they rescue people who are forced into it. But if someone is doing sex work voluntarily, it’s their choice. Besides, the shelter homes will be like prisons. We will not be allowed to go out. They did not consult us before making the final decision,” Uma added. Uma states that the demands put forth by the transgender community to the BBMP were completely different and aimed at bringing them into the mainstream. Their demands include assistance with higher education, separate shelter homes for elderly persons of the community and also pension facilities. “We demanded that at least three people hired in each government department be transgender persons. We wanted monetary assistance for those members of the community, who wanted to set up small shops. Vocational training definitely helps but not giving the community members an opportunity to choose what they want to do is wrong,” Uma added.     

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Video: Alert cop saves Karnataka man after he slips trying to board moving train

Accident

Yamunappa was trying to board the Tirupati-Hubli passenger train at Hosapete Railway Station when he slipped and fell.

Soumya Chatterjee

The alertness and swift action of a police constable on duty at a railway station on Sunday afternoon saved the life of a 45-year-old man. The incident took place at Hosapete Railway Station in north Karnataka’s Ballari district. CCTV footage of the video shows a man in a white shirt, and carrying a black bag in his hand trying to get on board the train which was already in motion. He, however, slips and partially falls between the track and the platform. He then gets dragged onto the platform even as one passenger tries to pull him inside. At the same time, the policeman is seen trying to get a hold of him to prevent him from going under the wheels.   Timely rescue by a police constable of a man who slips and gets dragged by moving train. This happened in Hosapet, Ktaka. pic.twitter.com/g2Mk6YGAZw — Sreedevi Jayarajan (@Sreedevi_Jay) May 20, 2019   The struggle goes on for a few seconds after which he is finally pulled to safety, away from the moving train. The passenger has been identified as Yamunappa, a resident of Hosapete, while S Kalanna is the constable with the Railway Protection Force. Yamunappa was trying to board the 57274 Tirupati-Hubli passenger train. “The train was already moving when the person was attempting to board the train and slipped. He was saved in the nick of time. There have been multiple incidents where we have seen bodies getting cut into two parts in situations like this when someone falls between the train and the platform.,” Bapuji, Hubbali Divisional Security Commissioner, told TNM. Forty-five-year-old Yamunappa escaped without suffering any manor injuries, said his nephew, Srinivas to TNM. “He is safe now. He was on his way to Pune to meet his sister by himself. I was at home at the time of the incident. We got a phone call from the police informing us about the incident,” Srinivas said. Meanwhile, constable S Kalanna will be recommended for a suitable award and recognition by the Railways for his bravery, confirmed the Bapuji, Hubbali Divisional Security Commissioner

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Tree branch goes through Karnataka man’s neck after car crash, he makes full recovery

Accident

"I never thought I'd speak again," said Nanjesh, recounting the horrific incident.

Dr Nimeshika Jayachandran

When 45-year-old Nanjesh answers the phone, I am pleasantly surprised by how normal his voice sounds for someone, who just a few months ago, had a tree trunk sticking out of his neck. “I still remember it vividly, I was in the car on the way to visit a relative. The driver had swerved on the road and we crashed into a tree,” he says, recounting the horrific accident. The accident which took place on the outskirts of Bengaluru, left a thick tree branch piercing his neck, entering from one side and exiting through the other. He was rushed to a small hospital in the vicinity where doctors stabilised him after which he was shifted to SPARSH Hospital in Yeshwanthpur. “It was quite a critical situation. He had been stabilised and brought to us, but the neck space is immensely packed and is full of several crucial structures. We couldn’t even assess the extent of the damage at first,” says Dr Gururaj H, a plastic surgeon at SPARSH Hospital. He was one among a team of doctors who operated on Nanjesh. After initial primary assessment, Nanjesh was shifted to a CT scan, so doctors could determine what structures had been pierced or affected in any manner by the tree branch stuck in his neck. “Several vessels and nerves that pass through the neck play a major role in supplying blood to the brain and spinal cord. We had to take utmost care not to cause any more damage than was already there,” added the doctor. It was noted that the cranial nerves of the patient were also affected, namely the facial, glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves. The facial nerve plays a huge role in facial expressions, the glossopharyngeal is involved in certain sensory functions while the vagus nerve aids in several functions including regulating heart rate, breathing and even in ensuring that the digestive tract functions properly. Doctors took him up for a surgery to remove the tree branch, thoroughly cleanse the areas affected and repair any major structural damages. He was then monitored acutely during the postoperative period. A week later, he was discharged, having maintained a good condition. Months of subsequent follow-ups later, he has now healed properly. “I never thought I’d speak again, but now I am back to normal. I just have to go for one more check-up, but the doctors say that there isn’t anything to worry about now,” says a relieved Nanjesh.

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Exit polls with false numbers being used by BJP to lure regional players, Kumaraswamy alleges

Lok Sabha 2019

Kumaraswamy’s tweet is on similar lines to that of the leaders who are hoping to dislodge Narendra Modi from the PM’s seat post-May 23.

TNM Staff

File image

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy questioned the credibility of the exit polls and EVMs in a series of tweets on Monday afternoon. The CM said the exit poll results were released on Sunday evening only “reiterated the serious concern of the Opposition parties on misuse of vulnerable EVMs for electoral gains by the ruling party.“  Interestingly, he claimed that the false impression of a Modi wave was being painted to lure regional parties to the BJP fold. In the last of these tweets, he also tagged opposition leaders across the country,  where he said that the exit poll exercise was “an effort to create a false impression of a wave in favour of one particular leader and the party”. “Entire Opposition political parties had expressed concern over credibility of EVMs under PM @narendramodi's rule.  Opposition parties even knocked the doors of the Supreme Court asking for a traditional ballet paper elections to avoid defective EVMs that are vulnerable to fraud,” the Chief Minister tweeted. He also emphasised that these were “exit polls” and not “exact polls”. The entire exit poll exercise was an effort to create false impression of a wave in favour of one particular leader and the party. As they say, it is just an exit poll, not exact poll. 4/4 @H_D_Devegowda@ncbn @MamataOfficial @yadavakhilesh @RahulGandhi #BSP #ExitPoll2019 — H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) May 20, 2019 Exit polls are being used to create an impression that there is still a Modi wave in the country.  This artificially engineered  or manufacutred Modi wave is being used by the BJP to lure regional parties well in advance to fill any shortfall after the results on May 23. 3/4 — H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) May 20, 2019 Entire Opposition political parties had expressed concern over credibility of EVMs under PM @narendramodi's rule.  Opposition parties even knocked the doors of the Supre Court asking for a traditional ballet paper elections to avoid defective EVMs that are vulnerable to fraud. — H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) May 20, 2019 Kumaraswamy’s tweet is on similar lines to that of the leaders who have taken an anti-BJP stance alongside the Congress in the hopes of dislodging Narendra Modi from the PM’s seat post-May 23. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had tweeted on Sunday, “I don’t trust Exit Poll gossip. The game plan is to manipulate or replace thousands of EVMs through this gossip. I appeal to all Opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together.” Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan too have questioned the credibility of exit polls. I don’t trust Exit Poll gossip. The game plan is to manipulate or replace thousands of EVMs through this gossip. I appeal to all Opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 19, 2019 Similarly, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu had tweeted, “Time and again exit polls have failed to catch the People's pulse. Exit polls have proved to be incorrect and far from ground reality in many instances. While undoubtedly TDP govt will be formed in AP, we are confident that non-BJP parties will form a non-BJP govt at the center.” He added, “We reiterate our demand to the ECI to count VVPATs in at least 50% of polling stations. VVPATs should be counted in 5 polling stations in each Assembly Constituency at the beginning of the counting process. In case of discrepancy, all VVPATs of Assembly Constituency shall be counted.”   We reiterate our demand to the ECI to count VVPATs in at least 50% of polling stations. VVPATs should be counted in 5 polling stations in each Assembly Constituency at the beginning of counting process. In case of discrepancy, all VVPATs of Assembly Constituency shall be counted. — N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) May 19, 2019   Read: Rahul Gandhi accuses Election Commission of favouring BJP, PM Modi  

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K'taka CM plans to impose restrictions on TV news channels

Media

HD Kumaraswamy has repeatedly clashed with the media over a number of issues since taking charge as the Chief Minister of the state.

TNM Staff

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday claimed that he is planning to bring in restrictions for the electronic media in the state. He made the claim while speaking at a programme in Mysuru. "For whose benefit are you misusing our (politicians) name and bringing news to people? I am discussing bringing in regulations for the media," he stated. He further accused television channels of spreading unconfirmed news to improve their TRP (target rating point) ratings. "Yesterday, I saw that there was a meeting between Sa Ra  Mahesh, GT Deve Gowda, Revanna and others. This news plays the entire day but in reality, we are in a comfortable position and did not have meetings like this,” he said, referring to suggestions made on news channels that the JD(S) was holding meetings to discuss the political situation in the state. “Do you need only us (politicians) to improve your TRP and channel?" the CM added. Kumaraswamy, who has not spoken to TV channels in the past month, vowed to continue to ignore television journalists. This is not the first time Kumaraswamy has vowed not to address the media. He has repeatedly clashed with the media over a number of issues since taking charge as the Chief Minister of the state. Soon after taking charge, Kumaraswamy suggested that a separate room be allocated for journalists to interact with ministers at the Vidhana Soudha,  the state secretariat. This was interpreted by many in the media as a way of protecting ministers from being asked uncomfortable questions. In July 2018, Kumaraswamy blamed the media for trying to divide the state by holding discussions on the demand for a separate North Karnataka state. He has repeatedly complained that his statements have been misrepresented by the media In October 2018, in a press conference at the Vidhana Soudha, Kumaraswamy lost his cool when a journalist suggested that the Chief Minister has ordered load-shedding in Gulbarga.

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'We're not surprised, BJP is coming back with full majority’: BSY on K’taka exit polls

Politics

According to BJP leaders in the state, the exit polls reaffirmed that the party will at least meet its expectation of winning 22 seats.

TNM Staff

Multiple exit polls on Sunday predicted that the BJP will win a majority of the seats in Karnataka in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. According to BJP leaders in the state, the exit polls reaffirmed that the party will at least meet its expectation of winning 22 seats.  A few exit polls, particularly the exit poll released by India Today- My Axis, suggested that the BJP would even exceed its expectations and win more than 22 seats in the state.    "The exit polls have shown that we will win more seats than what we promised. People did not take me seriously when I said Karnataka will win 22 seats. Now it may come as a surprise to you all but we can see clearly that the BJP is coming back with full majority. We feel like we are getting what we deserve after the state elections last year", BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa told reporters.  He further added, "Siddaramaiah has admitted that the coalition has not worked for them. Let us wait till 23rd and we are confident we will win 22 seats in Karnataka and 300+ in the country." Meanwhile, Congress leaders stated that the exit polls may not be an indicator of what the results reveal on May 23. "The exit polls have predicted a BJP win. But if you depend on just exit polls, there is no need to count the actual votes. It doesn't work like that. Exit polls are wrong often. Even in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh elections, the exit polls were wrong. It is not an indicator of what will happen. We need to have patience," Revenue Minister RV Deshpande told reporters.   

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Karnataka's twin Assembly bye-polls record 75.8% average polling

Politics

Vote counting for the two by-polls are on May 23.

IANS

An average of 75.8 per cent polling was registered in the by-elections for Karnataka's two Assembly segments - Chincholi and Kundgol - after 11 hours of polling at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, a poll official said. "Around 70.30 per cent was recorded in Chincholi and 81.33 per cent in Kundgol after all the voters who were still in queue even after 6:00 p.m. cast their ballots in the EVMs," senior poll official A. Surya Sen told IANS here. The vote count is on May 23. "Though voting was slow in the first four hours, it picked up later despite a hot day in peak summer. Barring a few complaints of glitches in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), polling was by and large peaceful in both seats," Sen said. Chincholi in the state's northern Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) district is 580 kms from Bengaluru and Kundgol is in the state's northwest Dharwad district, about 410 kms from here. Of the total 3.83 lakh electorate, 1,93,869 are in Chincholi and 1,89,313 in Kundgol. As many as 25 candidates, including four women, contested the twin by-polls with 17 in Chincholi and eight in Kundgol. Prominent candidates in Chincholi are Avinash Umesh Jadhav of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Subhash V. Rathod of the Congress and Gautam Bomnalli of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Avinash is the son of former Congress MLA Umesh Jadhav whose resignation from the seat necessitated the by-election. Jadhav senior quit the Congress and joined the BJP in early March to contest from the Gulbarga (SC) parliamentary seat against Congress leader in the outgoing Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on April 23. In Kundgol, Congress candidate Kusumavati Channabasappa is pitted against S.I. Chikkanagoudar of the BJP. The remaining six, including a woman, are independent candidates. The death of Congress Minister for Municipalities C.S. Shivalli on March 22 necessitated the Kundgol by-poll. The Congress has fielded his widow Kusumavati to retain the seat on a sympathy vote. Three-time legislator Chikkanagoudar lost to Shivalli by a narrow margin of 633 votes in the May, 2018 Assembly election.

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