Karnataka Central Relief Committee pledges steps for empowerment of transgender community
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Bengaluru: In a landmark step towards inclusivity, the Central Relief Committee (CRC) of the Government of Karnataka held its first official meeting with representatives of the transgender community at the CRC office in Bengaluru. The meeting was chaired by Aga Sultan, the newly appointed Chairman of the Committee, and led by noted transgender rights activist Akkai Padmashali, Founder of Ondede.
The session aimed to promote equality, self-reliance, and social inclusion of transgender individuals while providing a platform to understand their concerns and aspirations. It was attended by Vijay Kumar, Secretary, Chandrappa B. Gokak, Joint Secretary, and several superintendents and officials from relief centres across the state.
Representatives from the transgender community, including Akkai Padmashali and other prominent activists, highlighted a range of key issues faced by the community. Their primary demands included the effective implementation of the Transgender Policy, 2017 Act, skill development and vocational training, employment opportunities, social inclusion, measures to prevent harassment, and provision of housing and shelter facilities.
Chairman Aga Sultan assured the participants that the CRC would convey their concerns to the state government and ensure regular dialogues with the community to address their issues on priority. He also urged the transgender community to join hands with the government’s initiatives aimed at building an inclusive and dignified society.
During the meeting, Aga Sultan requested Akkai Padmashali to encourage members of the community to refrain from begging at traffic signals and instead take part in the CRC’s “Bring Beauty Back to Bengaluru” campaign, which seeks to make the city begging-free through rehabilitation and livelihood programmes.
The meeting concluded with a focus on strategic measures to promote economic independence and social integration for transgender individuals. Officials described the session as a historic milestone in the CRC’s efforts to make Karnataka a more inclusive and equitable state.
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Probe into Zubeen Garg's death ongoing, no foul play suspected yet: Singapore police
Singapore (PTI): Investigations into the death of singer Zubeen Garg are ongoing but so far no foul play is suspected, Singapore police have said.
Garg died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19.
The case is currently still being investigated by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), in accordance with the Singapore Coroners Act 2010, the police said on Thursday.
“Based on our investigations so far, the SPF does not suspect foul play in the death of Garg,” said the statement.
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Upon completion of the investigations, the findings will be submitted to the State Coroner in Singapore, who will hold a Coroner’s Inquiry (CI), currently scheduled for January and February 2026.
A CI is a fact-finding process led by the Coroner to establish the cause and circumstances of death. Its findings will be made public upon conclusion, said the SPF.
Singapore police are committed to conducting a thorough and professional investigation into the case, it said.
“We seek the patience and understanding of the parties involved. Meanwhile, we urge the public not to speculate and spread unverified information,” said SPF.
A Special Investigation Team probing Garg's death charged four accused, including the singer’s secretary Siddhartha Sharma and festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, with murder in a chargesheet filed in a court in India last week.
Garg was due to perform at the 4th Northeast India Festival at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 20.
