A protest outside the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) office in Jhansi turned chaotic on Saturday after a dispute between two transgender groups over areas for collecting traditional gifts at weddings and childbirth celebrations escalated into a road blockade and a confrontation with police.
The incident reportedly involved protesters removing their clothes, confronting passers-by and clashing with police personnel. Following the unrest, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and arrested five people, including four transgender persons and a woman.
Authorities subsequently restored traffic movement and brought the situation under control.
DISPUTE OVER TRADITIONAL 'BADHAI' COLLECTION
According to reports, the dispute arose between two groups within the transgender community over their respective areas for collecting badhai—traditional gifts or payments received during weddings, childbirth celebrations and other occasions.
Tensions reportedly increased after an earlier confrontation between the groups in the Shivaji Nagar area. One group, led by Anshika alias Abhishek, approached the police, alleging that members of the rival group had threatened them and demanding action against those involved.
The protesters later gathered outside the SSP office, claiming that their complaints had not received an adequate response from the police.
PROTEST ESCALATES OUTSIDE POLICE OFFICE
The demonstration took place on a busy road near the police office, where protesters allegedly blocked traffic and confronted people passing through the area.
According to media reports, some protesters climbed onto vehicles, used abusive language and engaged in confrontations with police personnel who arrived to manage the situation. The protest reportedly escalated when individuals removed their clothes in public as part of the demonstration.
Police personnel intervened to disperse the gathering and reopen the road. The incident attracted widespread attention after videos of the confrontation circulated on social media.
EARLIER INCIDENT ADDS TO TENSIONS
The latest protest followed another incident involving Anshika at the Nawabad police station. According to media reports, Anshika allegedly consumed phenyl at the police station on October 21 amid the ongoing dispute. She had reportedly accused members of the rival group of harassment and demanded police action.
Her supporters subsequently alleged that the police had failed to address their complaints adequately. These allegations formed part of the background to the demonstration outside the SSP office.
The circumstances surrounding the earlier incident and the allegations exchanged between the two groups remain subject to investigation.
FIVE PEOPLE ARRESTED
Following the protest, Nawabad police registered an FIR against five people in connection with the alleged road blockade, public disturbance and confrontation with police personnel. According to reports citing police officials, the accused include Anushka alias Abhishek, Pooja, Nayantara Russian, Mamta and Mahaveeran.
The cases involve allegations under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions relating to rioting, obstruction of public servants, disruption of public roads and other alleged offences.
Police brought the situation under control, cleared the road and initiated further legal proceedings. The allegations against the accused will be addressed through the legal process.
PROBE CONTINUES
The incident has highlighted the escalating tensions between the two groups over traditional badhai collection rights and the competing allegations that preceded the protest.
While the protesters accused the police of failing to act on their complaints, the authorities took action following the reported road blockade and confrontation outside the SSP office.
The investigation is continuing, and further details may emerge as police examine the allegations and the events leading up to the demonstration. The key question now is whether the underlying dispute can be resolved through legal intervention before tensions escalate further.