Award winning transgender activist Akkai Padmashali joins Congress Party

Photo Credits: Deccan Herald

Akkai Padmashali, a Karnataka transgender activist will be joining the Congress party on Sunday. She is an award winning activist, has been running the transgender movement in Karnataka for more than decade. But, her actions and movements are not just restricted to the state, and extends throughout the country.

In an interview with Deccan Herald, Akkai emphasized on her decision to join the Congress, which emerged from her impulse and desire to defend the Indian democratic space.

Akkai said, “There is so much intolerance in the country. There’s a threat to the Constitution. Like-minded people need to converge to protect the Constitution. Congress has played a vital role in bringing people’s issues to the forefront. This move is about my ideologies aligning with the core principles of the party.”

“It has been a long-drawn struggle. There have been several judgments to ensure the rights of the community, but implementing them is important. Political parties are otherwise preoccupied with other agendas.” Akkai further added.

Akkai was the first transgender to be awarded with the second highest civilian honour in the state in 2015. She went on to be the first transgender to get her marriage registered in 2018. She said her focus would not be just on the transgender issues but also about other running issues.