In a series of tweets, Bindu said that social media comments was aimed at directing hate towards and ridiculing the transgender community.
Calling Nath a "martyr", the minister said that trans persons have as much right as each one of us to live as part of the mainstream society. (Twitter)
Days after the suicide of Kerala’s first transgender bodybuilder, state Minister for Social Justice R Bindu said that “cyber-bullying” and “rotten journalism” pushed him to take the extreme step and it was a matter of shame that the trans community continues to face harassment in the public domain.
Praveen Nath, who was in his late 20s, ended his life by allegedly consuming poison at his residence in Thrissur district on 4 May.
In a series of tweets, Bindu said the post that Nath had shared on social media during an intensely emotional and personal moment, one that he withdrew immediately, had paved the way for a highly inappropriate public discourse.
She said the social media discussion that ensued was aimed at directing hate towards and ridiculing the transgender community.
The discussion that ensued was aimed at directing hate towards and ridiculing the transgender community.
What reared an ugly head here was our society's ignorance about and disdain for trans persons.
— Dr R Bindu (@rbinducpm) May 5, 2023
Bindu said the cyber-bullying was a result of our society’s ignorance about and disdain for trans persons. “And it is unforgivable that online media, which is supposed to act as the fourth pillar of democracy, lacks this understanding,” she tweeted.
To the same thread, Bindu added, “Whether it be deliberately or due to ignorance, this intolerance that drives people into social withdrawal and even death is unbecoming of a modern democracy. And it is high time that the media reconsidered their race for sensationalism and put people above petty competitions.”
Praveen Nath's experience is not an isolated one. There are an end number of LGBTQIA+ persons who have been forced to give up their lives due to similar abusive behaviour.
— Dr R Bindu (@rbinducpm) May 5, 2023
She further noted that there are a number of LGBTQIA+ persons who have been forced to give up their lives due to similar abusive behaviour.
Calling Nath a “martyr”, the minister said that trans persons have as much right as each one of us to live here, alongside us, as part of the mainstream society. “He is a reminder of a brand of rotten journalism that is complicit in this ignorance.”
Praveen Nath is a martyr, a constant reminder to those unwilling to accept that trans persons have as much right as each one of us to live here, alongside us, as part of the mainstream society. He is a reminder of a brand of rotten journalism that is complicit in this ignorance.
— Dr R Bindu (@rbinducpm) May 5, 2023
The Minister said Nath was part of a marginalised community that still requires enormous effort and public support to merge with the mainstream.
“And now, blatant cyber-bullying with no regard for propriety or ethics ended up pushing him to a point where he probably felt he can’t take it anymore. It is a matter of shame that despite our progress in literacy, education and what not, our trans persons continue to face ridicule and even harassment in public spaces,” the minister tweeted.
As a society, we need to realise that if trans persons have been able to garner at least a limited level of acceptance and the ability to stand upright in society today, despite their painful life circumstances, it is because of their tremendous hard work and determination, she added.
As a society, we need to realise that if trans persons have been able to garner at least a limited level of acceptance & the ability to stand upright in society today, despite their painful life circumstances, it is because of tremendous hard work and determination.
— Dr R Bindu (@rbinducpm) May 5, 2023
Nath was said to be worried over certain online media reports about their allegedly strained relationship. However, Nath had denied the allegations.
Hailing from Nenmara in the Palakkad district, Nath was the first person to be awarded the Mister Kerala in the transgender category. His wife, Rishana Ayshu was a winner of the Miss Malabar beauty contest.
Media reports regarding the separation of the trans couple came after Nath put up a Facebook post after an emotional breakdown.
Following Nath’s death, his wife who is a transwoman, allegedly tried to kill herself by consuming a poisonous substance on Friday, 5 May. She is currently undergoing treatment at the Thrissur Medical College in Kerala.
After her husband’s death, Rishana appeared on a live video saying that nobody would see her alive after that.
(If you need support or know someone who has suicidal thoughts, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist or can contact the helpline numbers of suicide prevention organizations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families. Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930; Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584)
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