Mumbai: Youth who went to attend LGBT event molested by locals in Khar

Divyaroop Ananda had gone to attend an LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) event in Khar, Mumbai on October 11 when he was brutally beaten up. 

Talking about the incident, Ananda told iamin, “I entered a nearby chawl to find a pan shop near the venue, when onlookers started hooting and passed lewd comments. I chose to ignore it. That is when a man who was under the influence of alcohol bashed me up. He even molested me by touching me inappropriately on my private parts. As a natural response, I slapped him hard. Before I could even realise what is happening, I had people punching me in my gut and my hair was pulled.”

Ananda says he was beaten with sticks and even a stool. His clothes were torn and he was left injured on the road. Mentally scarred following the incident, Ananda said, “About 60-70 people just stood there staring and enjoying the sight." However, two men helped him reach the hospital. But he did not lodge a complaint with the police fearing mistreatment because of his sexual orientation.

Also Read - An LGBTQ activist asks: When will sexual assault against men be recognised?

An agitated Ananda shared that he has to deal with homophobes every day online. "Do you think we choose this for ourselves? Choose to be beaten up? Choose to be humiliated? I want people to just let it be. Stop fighting what you don't understand," Ananda said.

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