Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 11: Navasahaja Samudaya Sanghatane, an association for the welfare of transgenders, on Friday February 10 came down strongly against Parivarthan Charitable Trust alleging that its founder and trustee Violet Pereira has been trying to create fissure among the community members and that she started the trust 'with an intention to mint money'.

Speaking to reporters here, the association members said that 10 years ago, a transgender named Rani came to Mangaluru from Ballari and started to reside in places like Baikampaady, Kulur and Panambur. Through Rani, nearly 50 other transgenders came all the way to Mangaluru and started residing here. Rani was the president for other 50 members.

President of Navasahaja Samudaya Sanghatane Praveen Nikhil said, "The transgender community has existed from the time of Ramayana and has its own rituals, tradition and culture. Navasahaja Samudaya Sanghatane is existing from the past four years and is registered for government schemes under Women and Child Development and Karnataka Lingatva Alpasankyatara Vedike. Transgenders prefer to beg or do sex work to survive.

"Our organisation has been working to uplift the transgenders. Under the government scheme nearly 21 transgenders are entitled to a monthly pension from the past six months. Former DC A B Ibrahim had sanctioned this.

"Now, Parivarthan Charitable Trust which is spearheaded by Violet is trying to create dispute among our community with the motive of making money. The Trust has imposed lots of restrictions like 'don't go anywhere, ask permission before going somehwere, don't engage with other groups' to the transgenders. Consequently, Rani had to exit from Parivarthan Trust which also led to dispute among the community members.

"Parivarthan Trust is accusing that Rani had threatened and attacked a Parivarthan Trust member and had also demanded Rs 6,000 per month. This is totally a false information that Parivarthan Trust is spreading. Karnataka Lingatva Alpasankyatara Vedike will look into the issue and take suitable action against Parivarthan Charitable Trust," Nikhil said.

"Violet founded this trust as she can make money through government grants and private funding," he added.

Rani was the president of Parivarthan Charitable Trust which was launched on August 30, 2016 until her exit from the Trust. Sources said that though the Trust had several members initially, now the figure has reduced to a single digit due to friction.