more-in Transgender activist and actor Sheethal Shyam, who was in the district on Monday to inaugurate the student union activities of Government College, Mokeri, was denied stay in a lodge near the railway station at Vadakara. The activist who reached Al-Safa lodge around 7 a.m. along with some of the college union leaders for check-in was allegedly greeted with abusive words by the lodge manager. The man also sent her out with a claim that the booking was actually done in the name of another actor. Though the college union leaders tried to convince the manager about the purpose of visit and her identity as a respected transgender activist, he was not ready to change the stance. Both Ms. Shyam and the union leaders were asked to leave the place. Speaking to The Hindu about the incident, Ms. Shyam alleged that the lodge manager denied her room with a claim that there was an instruction from the police not to permit the stay of transgender people. She said the incident had been brought to the attention of Minister for Health and Social Justice K.K. Shailaja. “The police were totally clueless. A police officer who came to the spot apologised to me on behalf of the manager. Actually, he was supposed to take legal action,” said Ms. Shyam. She also accused the police of taking a supportive stance towards the owner. Meanwhile, the Vadakara police said they had already accepted the petition from Ms. Shyam and an enquiry would be conducted into the incident. The investigation team had also taken the manager into custody for further interrogation, they said. Later, the issue became a hot topic of discussion at the inaugural event of the college union. Large number of students came in support of Ms. Shyam. She stressed the need for a change in the mindset of people towards the transgender community in the changing social scenario.

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