Footsteps for freedom

How about starting 2014 with a walk for gender minorities?

Praja Rajakiya Vedike along with other organizations is conducting “Freedom Walk – ​​E​​nd Violence on Sexual Minorities” tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan-1-2014). This is an effort to facilitate interaction between sexual minorities and the society at large, in the context of the December 2013 Supreme Court judgment on IPC Section 377. ​The Freedom Walks are an initiative to make the public understand the issues of disadvantaged sections of our society.​

Participants will gather at 5:00 PM near the Radhakrishna Theatre (in Matadahalli) and start walking at 5:30 PM. They will pass through RT Nagar Main Road, BDA Complex, RT Nagar Bus Depot and end at Ganganagar BMTC Bus Stop.

“Let us come together, walk through our neighbourhoods in freedom and without fear, talk about Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code and the violence sexual minorities (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Kothi, Hijra, Jogappa, et al) face every day, ask ourselves how we contribute to it, raise our collective voice against it, take action to address prejudice and keep a constant vigil”, says an appeal to all. Human rights activist and co-founder of Sangama adds, “Our first Freedom Walk in Hebbal evoked tremendous positive response from the people in and around Devasandara, Sanjay Nagar and Nagashettyhalli. We hope to continue this effort in other neighbourhoods too”. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Similar Story

Pre-poll report card: Citizens raise concerns over urban planning and governance gaps

As the Assembly elections near, residents across Chennai flag zoning violations, poor urban planning amid rapid growth.

As cities grow rapidly, traffic, buildings, and loss of green cover inevitably follow. In 1974, the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) covered 1,189 sq. km; by 2022, it had expanded to 5,904 sq. km, bringing with it challenges of governance. Gaps in governance are foremost on the minds of the 28.3 lakh Chennai voters set to elect their Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) on April 23rd. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government made 505 promises in 2021, of which it claims to have met 80%. But as residents and citizen groups come up with their manifestos ahead of the April…

Similar Story

In Bengaluru’s Kogilu Layout, evictions create another housing crisis for the city

Months after the Kogilu demolitions, displaced residents still live in tents, citing lack of prior notice and delays in promised rehabilitation.

On December 20, 2025, families in Kogilu Layout, Yelahanka, awoke to the sound of bulldozers and their homes being razed. Vessels, bedding, school bags, medicines, and documents lay scattered around or broken. While official figures state that 167 structures were removed, residents and petitioners report higher numbers.  Beside the rubble, families assembled tarpaulin shelters. Residents say that for several days, makeshift solutions for water, toilets, and electricity were arranged and civil society groups provided temporary relief.  Residents and civil-society groups also allege that there was no written notice before the pre-dawn demolitions. In the aftermath, it is unclear where people slept…