Transgender Activists in Indore Hospitalized After Mass Phenyl Poisoning Protest

On October 14, 2025, a group of 24 members of the transgender community in Indore, India took drastic action to protest the alleged rape of two transgender women in the city. According to officials, the protesters locked themselves in a room and collectively consumed phenyl, a toxic cleaning agent, in an act of desperation.

The incident caused panic in the area, prompting a swift response from police and medical teams. All 24 protesters were rushed to Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital for treatment. Fortunately, the hospital superintendent reported that none of the individuals were in critical condition.

The protest was triggered by a reported assault on two transgender women by men claiming to be journalists. The survivors allege that the accused, identified as Pankaj and Akshay, approached them under the guise of covering a dispute within the transgender community. They then allegedly demanded money from the victims and threatened to defame them in the media. When the women refused, one of the men is said to have dragged a victim to a nearby building and sexually assaulted her.

Following the complaint filed by the survivor, the Pandharinath Police have registered a case of rape and extortion against the two accused men. Authorities have launched a search and vowed to arrest the suspects soon.

The dramatic protest by the transgender activists has shone a spotlight on the ongoing challenges and vulnerabilities faced by the community in Indore. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for stronger measures to protect the rights and safety of transgender individuals in the region.