Rajasthan’s Transgender Community Divided: Who Is Shiv Shankar Saini aka Tanisha, Now in the Spotlight?

Jaipur: The transgender community in Rajasthan has recently witnessed internal divisions, sparking debates and controversy. The issue revolves around Shiv Shankar Saini, also known as Tanisha, a transgender leader associated with the Rajasthan Kinnar Akhara Sangh, and discussions concerning religious conversions within the community.

Today, a press conference was held in Jaipur by representatives of the broader transgender community, who strongly refuted recent allegations and statements made by the state president of the Kinnar Akhara Sangh. They emphasized that such statements contradict Rajasthan’s centuries-old Ganga-Jamuni cultural ethos and could harm the community’s reputation.

Community voices concern
Representatives criticized Tanisha’s remarks, claiming they not only damage the image of the transgender community but also risk fomenting discord between Hindu and Muslim communities. The community condemned the use of terms like “Kinnar Jihad,” calling it an attempt to malign the entire community and place them unfairly under public scrutiny.

The press conference further accused Tanisha of collaborating with certain anti-social elements to issue provocative and inflammatory statements in the media and on social platforms. The community reiterated that the transgender population of Rajasthan has lived harmoniously with all religions, castes, and communities for centuries, promoting love, blessings, and social harmony.

Legal angle
The community revealed that five police cases have been registered against Tanisha in various districts of the state concerning the “Kinnar Jihad” controversy. However, they noted that concrete action on these cases has yet to be taken.

Who is Tanisha?
Shiv Shankar Saini, popularly known as Tanisha, hails from Nivai in Tonk district of Rajasthan. She was appointed as the state president of the Rajasthan Kinnar Akhara Sangh. Tanisha claims to have been attacked twice, asserting that the assaults occurred due to her raising the issue of forced religious conversions within the transgender community. Tanisha became a member of the transgender community after undergoing gender transition in 2023.

This controversy has highlighted a deepening divide within Rajasthan’s transgender community, placing Tanisha at the center of public attention and media scrutiny.