Pressure mounted on Hindu kinnars to convert in Bhopal

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) — Allegations of coercive religious conversion within the kinnar community (Transgenders) have surfaced in Bhopal. A large group of kinnars staged a protest outside the District Collector’s office against Suraiya Nayak, head of the Mangalwara Kinnar Dera.

The protesters alleged that Hindu kinnars in the dera are being pressured to embrace Islam and subjected to severe harassment if they refuse. According to the complainants, Suraiya Nayak has for years been forcing Hindu disciples to convert. Those who resist are allegedly assaulted, threatened with death and, in some cases, forced to consume beef.

In a memorandum submitted to the administration, the Hindu kinnar group demanded that kinnars in deras be officially recorded as Hindu or Muslim based on birth, that Islamic religious practices conducted in the deras be stopped, and that Bangladeshi kinnars residing there be identified and deported.

Suraiya Nayak has rejected all allegations, claiming that the accusations are part of a conspiracy to remove her from her post. The Bhopal administration has accepted the memorandum and assured that a formal inquiry will be conducted.

Editorial perspective

Such incidents indicate that attempts are now being made even to convert Hindu kinnars. They point to the widening reach of religious