Tag: Human Rights | Varta Trust

Quote: As the ‘Mahad Satyagraha’ enters its centenary celebrations, it is more important than ever to question our origin stories of mainstream articulations of queerness. Not necessarily to doubt or question the intentions of senior activists, but to expand our imagination beyond queer exceptionalism. After all, how do we separate the stigma of sexuality from the violence of caste? And silence or obfuscation of history is also violence, no less than non-acknowledgment or denial of queerness.

Repetition with a difference / A what if origin story

By Sayan Bhattacharya

Can we reimagine the annual celebrations of queer pride beyond sexual stigma and instead draw inspiration from the history of anti-caste movements, asks Sayan Bhattacharya

Quote: My first ever tattoo was a jellyfish. It was my most impulsive yet memorable thing I’ve ever done. Everyone asked me why, but I never uttered the reason out loud. It’s a reminder for me that I’m lovable and I’m worthy. Because the first ever time another human saw my scars, they didn’t draw stars around it, they drew a jellyfish. So, every time I look at the tattoo, it reminds me that I’ve come forward and I have people with me as I move. It reminds me of the love I contain in myself, for the people around me.

My Story Jun '26

My body, my canvas

By Sangeetha Elsa

Her body is Sangeetha Elsa’s canvas for silent answers, rebellion, expressions of love and more. Trigger warning – mentions of self-harm

Quote: The election season, with all its usual gimmicks and phrases like ‘nari shakti’ doing the rounds again, motivated us to speak to diverse groups of women – students, working professionals, disabled working professionals, domestic workers, informal workers and housewives. Each with a distinct lived experience and lived expertise, which we sought in order to frame our policy recommendations. ‘Women’s welfare’ is public policy’s favourite word, but what do women really want?

Insight, Vartanama May '26

Women and the State: Welfare, safety and everyday life in Bengal

By Indrani Chatterjee, Nivedita Biswas

What do women in West Bengal want in terms of social security – highlights from a study conducted just before the recent Legislative Assembly elections

This is a daytime mid-range shot of the author holding a handwritten poster at a public protest organized at Jantar Mantar, Delhi on March 29, 2026 against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026. The author is standing facing the camera. In bold and colourful letters on a white background, the poster headline says “Viksit Bharat, Transphobic Bharat” with the first two words distinctly crossed out. Next to the headline, there is more text that says, “#Reject Trans Bill 2026” and “#NoGoingBack”. All around the author, there is a large crowd of protestors numbering at least 100. Further into the background, a stage has been erected for protest speeches, with a long protest banner forming the backdrop. Tall trees provide shelter for the protestors against the strong sun. Photo credit: Professor Harikarthik Ramesh

Vartanama Apr '26

What are rights without the right to self-identify one’s gender?

By Sudhasri Yadavalli

Sudhasri Yadavalli analyses the systemic harms likely to result from the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026

In this night-time long shot photograph, a large group of protesters are gathered at Ranu Chhaya Mancha in Central Kolkata on March 15, 2026 to protest the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026. Some of them are standing on a platform holding a long horizontal banner that reads: "We are not a diagnosis. We reject Trans Bill 2026". The banner text is printed in bold capitalized letters on a black background. Several hashtags like #Rage and #Rise are printed below the text, and thought blurbs in Bengali like “Dhikkar”, “Parichay” and “Ladai” are scattered on both sides of the text on the banner. Several other protestors hold placards and posters related to transgender rights, and stand below the platform, facing a central speaking area. The slogans on the posters and placards say “We Reject Trans Bill 2026” and “Self-identity Is My Right”. Some individuals appear to be listening attentively to speeches being made in the speaking area, while others converse among themselves. A large soundbox can be seen placed next to the platform. The atmosphere suggests an organized demonstration. Several tall trees and a lamppost juxtaposed against the night sky form the backdrop. Photo credit: Meghjit Sengupta

Insight Mar '26

Recognition, struggle and politics of dignity

By Ayushman Roy, Meghjit Sengupta, Surjo Pramanik

The amended trans rights law is all about social injustice and disempowerment – Ayushman Roy, Meghjit Sengupta and Surjo Pramanik report on the recent protests against the law in Kolkata

This is a horizontally rectangular graphic that shows a banner prepared for a community protest planned against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 on March 15, 2026 from 5.00 pm at Ranu Chhaya Mancha in Central Kolkata. On a background of blue, pink and white stripes, the colours traditionally associated with transgender rights, the banner headline in bold black says “Transgender Communities Reject Trans Amendment Bill, 2026”. Below the headline are three hashtags ‘gather’, ‘agitate’, and ‘nogoingback’. Below the hashtags, the event date, time and venue are mentioned. A tagline at the bottom says “We are not a diagnosis. Our identities are not up for approval.” On the bottom right corner of the graphic, three fisted hands raised in protest and a red loudspeaker can be seen. Graphic credit: QT* Strategizing Group for Trans Bill 2026

Happenings, Vartanama Mar '26

Transgender communities reject Trans Bill 2026

By QT* Strategizing Group for Trans Bill 2026

Media advisory issued by a network of trans and queer individuals and collectives in West Bengal to oppose the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026

This image is a combination of a screengrab from ‘Wikipedia’ and text extracted from the accompanying article. The screengrab shows a sample of Bengali Braille alphabets as used in print in both India and Bangladesh. All the vowel alphabets and some of the consonant alphabets can be seen in the image displayed in four rows. In each row, the alphabets used by people with vision are presented in a sub-row on top, while the Braille version of each alphabet is provided below in a second sub-row. The extracted text says: “These hurdles deepen the already familiar link between poverty and disability in South Asia. Many visually disabled users rely entirely on limited mobile data, making the conversion of image PDFs an exhausting, sometimes impossible task. Students are particularly affected. A visually disabled undergraduate at Jadavpur University, educated in Bengali, told me she often has to depend on human readers for class materials. Her peers in English-medium programmes can download accessible texts immediately, while she faces a long and anxious wait.” Source: ‘Wikipedia’

Insight Jan '26

How language barriers create a privileged hierarchy for India’s disabled

By Dr. Ishan Chakraborty

With World Braille Day just gone past, Dr. Ishan Chakraborty highlights the challenges faced by Bengali-speaking visually disabled people in accessing digital content in their tongue

This photograph is a daytime long shot of the ‘Budapest Pride 2025’. Literally, a sea of people dressed in diverse colours, carrying queer pride banners and rainbow umbrellas can be seen approaching and walking across a bridge in the heart of Budapest. The walkers are moving away from the camera, with one or two facing the camera to take photographs. Bright sunlight shines on the walkers as they march past tall buildings on either side of the road, on to the bridge. Dense greenery can be seen on the far side of the bridge forming an imposing green backdrop. Photo credit: European Greens – Andras Mayer, sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Vartanama Dec '25

Power in hope

By Mahua Seth

Mahua Seth on the emergence of queer resilience in response to the setbacks that marked queer lives in 2025 across the world

Quote: The scholarship will offer needs-based support for one or more of the following: Tuition fees (partial / full amount), basic academic necessities, expenses for travel, accommodation, meals, necessary tools for learning (for candidates opting for vocational training) and other incidental costs that act as hidden barriers preventing students from accessing and continuing education (subject to a specific maximum amount per person in a year). It will provide support for queer and trans inclusion in educational institutions, academic continuity, skill-based training for livelihood, and pathways into dignified employment.

Vartanama Nov '25

New Dawn Queer-Trans Education Scholarship Programme

By Varta Economic Inclusion Mentoring Forum

Excerpts from the concept note of Varta Trust’s formal and vocational education scholarship programme for socioeconomically disadvantaged queer-trans Individuals in West Bengal

Quote: I am reminded of my training days where queerphobia, casteism, and ableism were so rampant that it was hard for me to gulp it down day after day and pretend as if there was nothing wrong. At this time, there was no singular event to signify the change I experienced. But it was life-changing for me in the sense that I stopped looking at the training curriculum as unbiased. I could zoom out and look at the curriculum critically, which is often difficult as we remain strongly enmeshed within the training system.

Commentary, Insight Sep '25

On queer self-determination (part 3)

By Meera, Aritra C.

Mental health professionals Meera Dhebar and Aritra C. continue their conversation on queer worldmaking across time periods and cultures

This illustration includes text extracted from the accompanying article superimposed on a vertically rectangular image of a musty grey wall, scarred and pockmarked in places. The image is symbolic of the wall described by the author in their article. The text extract says: "Together, the writings made a wall that refused erasure. Not aesthetic, but insurgent. Not decoration, but documentation. A manifesto of madness, queerness, resistance, and everything else the law school had no vocabulary for.” Background image credit P R on Unsplash

My Story Aug '25

The wall that held me

By Risha

Risha writes about their relationship with a scarred wall full of personal and political writings in their university hostel room

This image is a combination of a photograph with text extracted from the accompanying article superimposed on the photograph. The photograph shows a dusk-time long shot of a sunset. The sun, a golden yellow sphere, can be seen gleaming at the bottom edge of the photograph. Some building tops and TV antennae silhouetted against the sunlight can also be seen along the bottom edge of the photograph. The rest of the photograph shows a wide expanse of a mauve sky speckled with light clouds. The text is presented in a typeface resembling handwriting and says: “When we talk of the pain and trauma of conversion therapy, this is also an area where I feel compelled to intervene and stop this horrific practice. Aritra, we both know people who have gone through this, and we have learned from them about the torturous outcomes and consequences. It is heartbreaking to think that wanting to live as who we are is still considered to be something to be ashamed of and to remain hidden. So, as someone older, I also want those younger to know that it is possible to not just survive, but to thrive, to find love, to create a chosen family, and to also continue to strive for change.” Photo credit: Pawan Dhall

Commentary, Insight Jul '25

On queer self-determination (part 2)

By Meera, Aritra C.

The e-conversation between mental health professionals Meera Dhebar and Aritra C. on queer worldmaking across time periods and cultures continues

This photograph shows a long-shot of an evening sky taken from the window of the south-western corner room that the author occupies in his new home on the third floor of a building. The sky outside is a deepening blue-velvet, with some clouds in the horizon tinged with the light pink and orange of a setting sun not visible in the photograph. A silhouetted pine tree occupies centre stage against the sky, with more trees and the upper floors and rooftops of buildings in the neighbourhood visible in the background. Some of the buildings are silhouetted against the sky, while one of them has windows lit from inside. In the foreground are the awning and the horizontal railings of the author’s window. The railings are placed quite wide apart and add to the drama of the view rather than interrupt it. The photograph conveys a sense of evening calm before the darkness takes over. Photo credit: Pawan Dhall

Vartanama Jun '25

‘Kalbaisakhi’ and the crow

By Pawan Dhall

Pawan Dhall on the views and viewpoints he has come across and dwelt on since he moved to a new residential address a year ago

This illustration is a combination of a photograph and text extracted from the accompanying article. The photograph shows a scene from the dialogue ‘Queer Worldmaking in the Face of Conversion Therapy’ that took place at Kalinath Angan, Kolkata on January 18, 2025. Moderator Meghjit Sengupta (centre) and panellist Aritra C. (to Meghjit’s left) look on as panellist Meera Dhebar makes a point during the dialogue. Meera refers to a file on her laptop as she speaks. The laptop is kept on a centre table placed close to the three speakers. A Progress Pride Flag can be seen mounted on the wall behind the speakers. A phone mounted on a tripod stand for recording the dialogue is placed a couple of feet from the speakers. The scene captured in the photograph can also be seen on the mobile phone screen. The accompanying text says: “Because sometimes in this very cis-heteronormative and heteropatriarchal world steeped in discourses of othering, a few moments of solace in being seen can provide enough joy to carry us through the moments of isolation and disconnection.” Photo credit: Pawan Dhall

Commentary Jun '25

On queer self-determination (part 1)

By Meera, Aritra C.

An e-conversation series between mental health professionals Meera Dhebar and Aritra C. on queer worldmaking across time periods and cultures

This image shows a still from the award-winning documentary film ‘Amma’s Pride’ directed by Shiva Krish. In the image, Srija, the main protagonist of the film is seen smiling and talking on her mobile phone, while Valli, her mother, looks on standing next to her also smiling brightly. Mother and daughter are both inside their house, and in the background can be seen sundry household objects placed on shelves or hanging on walls. The background objects have been slightly blurred to enhance the focus on Srija and Valli. Image courtesy Shiva Krish

Happenings, Vartanama May '25

Pursuing resilience, embracing hope

By Meghjit Sengupta, Pawan Dhall

Meghjit Sengupta reflects on an event centred around award-winning documentary ‘Amma’s Pride’, the story of transgender woman Srija whose marriage to Arunkumar, a cisgender man, in 2019 set a legal...

This indoor mid-range photograph shows drag artiste Ahon Gooptu acting out a scene from the show ‘Item’. The performance space is a room painted white, with wooden furniture, a door and two windows polished brown; the room has a tiled floor and a high ceiling with beams running criss-cross. The room has a blue and white, staid ambient light. A lightly bearded and moustachioed Ahon is dressed in a light-coloured saree, full-sleeved blouse, light jewellery on his neck, wrists, fingers, and ears, and designer footwear; his shoulder-length hair is curly and untied. Ahon is seated at a wooden table, one leg over the other. The table top is cluttered with a table lamp illuminating the wall next to it, a painted flower vase with artificial flowers, a small wooden case, a couple of Japanese hand fans, and four sets of blingy goggles. Ahon has a pensive, far-off look as he mouths some dialogues. A few greeting cards and cutouts are pasted on the wall next to the table. One of them, with rainbow hues, says “Fab Yule Us”, while another says “You’re a cut above the rest.” A little distance behind Ahon is a full-length, wooden-framed mirror placed in a corner against the wall. Two windows, their shutters closed, can be seen on the walls next to the mirror. A pink dupatta and a blanket with two shades of green hang from a beam on the ceiling adding to the colourful but restrained ambience. Photo credit: Abhilasha Das

Insight, Vartanama Apr '25

Zenia, ‘Item’ and the future of the (western) queer dream

By Mihir Seth

Mihir Seth fears the dream of being oneself is crumbling as queer and transgender rights face setbacks globally

Tagged Under: Human Rights

Repetition with a difference / A what if origin story

My body, my canvas

Women and the State: Welfare, safety and everyday life in Bengal

What are rights without the right to self-identify one’s gender?

Recognition, struggle and politics of dignity

Transgender communities reject Trans Bill 2026

How language barriers create a privileged hierarchy for India’s disabled

Power in hope

New Dawn Queer-Trans Education Scholarship Programme

On queer self-determination (part 3)

The wall that held me

On queer self-determination (part 2)

‘Kalbaisakhi’ and the crow

On queer self-determination (part 1)

Pursuing resilience, embracing hope

Zenia, ‘Item’ and the future of the (western) queer dream

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