Bengaluru ‘transman’, friend seek protection in Madurai

The duo was identified as Varun, the ‘transman’ and Malini his friend. On the persuasion of Paneer Selvam, secretary, District Legal Services Authority, the duo met the media and narrated their case. After Varun turned into a ‘transman,’ his family warned him to remain as a girl and also to dress like a girl. Varun’s family had also threatened him with an acid attack if he did not behave like a girl. Due to such threats, he ran away from the house. Malini’s parents too opposed her friendship with Varun and the girl’s family also threatened her of dire consequences if she continued her friendship with him. Malini and Varun ran away from their respective houses in Bengaluru. They reached Madurai 10 days ago. Initially, they stayed at the railway junction and then at Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple for a week. 

A temple worker spotted the duo and directed them to Bharati Kannamma Trust. Through the trust they approached the District Legal Services Authority for protection.  “We are majors and we can decide our lives outside the family. Since we face threats from our family members, we need police protection,” the duo said.  When questioned about the peculiar nature of their relationship, they said that they were yet to decide on anything. “As of now we are staying together. People suspect us to be lesbians, but it is just friendship that unites us and there is nothing beyond it,” the duo answered.  Later they also submitted a petition to the Madurai City Police Commissioner.