Tamil Nadu Makes Police Harassment Of LGBTQIA+ People Punishable. Other States Should Take Notes!
In our nation, there are many ongoing issues that are making us question our safety. Despite making many rules and regulations, many gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people still feel unsafe or unwelcome in their schools, communities, and families, and considering reports highlighting the issue of police harassment in the LGBTQ+ community, we don’t blame them at all. Recently, Tamil Nadu amended existing law to protect the LGBTQIA+ community from police abuse. It’s definitely a significant move!
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Understanding the issue of abuse against the LGBTQIA+ by the police, the Tamil Nadu Government added a clause in the Tamil Nadu Subordinate Police Officers’ Conduct Rules and banned the harassment of the people belonging to the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual) community. After the significant and much-needed move, Tamil Nadu has become the first state in India to amend a law to punish police officers for abusing the marginalised community. The order read that, “No police officer shall indulge in any act of harassment of any person belonging to the LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) + Community and the persons working for the welfare of the said community.” The order was issued by the government and signed by additional chief secretary SK Prabhakar, as per reports.
People from the community and many activists welcomed the order as it will help in reducing police violence against them.
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Now, when Tamil Nadu understood the assignment and took a step towards safeguarding the LGBTQIA+ community from violence, the other states of India should also make such laws that will help the community to feel safe and live life on their own terms. Take some lessons, please!
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