Hijada remark: Transgender Activist Akkai Padmashali demands apology from KSE

Bengaluru: After Minister KS Eshwarappa said that the MLAs who win the elections on the base of Muslim votes are transgenders, Transgender Activist and Motivational speaker Akkai Padmashali demanded the latter to apologize for comparing the MLAs with Hijadas.

Taking to Facebook Padmashali wrote “Your words are intimidating our community! It shows, you are transphobic and you remain as an anti-minority.” She further demanded an apology from Eshwarappa for his remarks.

KS Eshwarappa, who ahead of the LS polls made a controversial comment that Muslims won’t be given tickets by BJP, on Sunday, September 15 speaking at an event said, “Before BJP government came to power I happened to meet couple of Congress MLAs who expressed desire to come to BJP, but claimed that they have over 50,000 Muslim votes in their constituencies and may face defeat if they lose that, which is kind of a ‘Hijada’ (eunuch) behaviour.”

Eshwarappa also claimed that in his constituency in Shivamogga, there were over 50,000 Muslim voters and he has never gone to them seeking votes.

“I told them (Congress MLAs) that in my constituency, my community- Kuruba vote is about 8,000-10,000 and there are more than 50,000 Muslim votes.

I have till today not gone to a single Muslim saluting him for a vote. I have won by a lead of over 47,000 votes,” he said.

“Why I’m saying this-Journalists write down this. A Rashtra bhakta (patriot) Muslim will vote for BJP, and those who are pro Pakistan and Rashtra drohis (traitors) will hesitate to vote for BJP,” the Minister added.