INDORE, MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA – OCTOBER 15, 2025 24 members of the transgender community attempted mass suicide by drinking phenol, a floor cleaning chemical. Ingesting large amounts can be fatal, as phenol damages the central nervous system and other vital organs. Fortunately, in this case, everything ended well because the emergency services were informed in time, and all participants were taken to the hospital and stabilized.
The motive for their action remains unclear and is under police investigation. One line of investigation involves a tragic event that affected the local transgender community. Two men, Akshay Kumaon and Pankaj Jain, pretended to be journalists and wanted to interview them. During this, they raped one transgender person and then blackmailed them with explicit photos.
If you’re thinking about suicide, please stop and recognize that your pain is not permanent, but this step would be. It may feel like there’s no other way, but there is hope, even if it’s hard to see right now. Your feelings are temporary, and with help, they can pass.
Talking about what you're going through might feel difficult, but it’s the first step toward healing. Don’t turn away from the people who want to support you. Life can offer more than what you're feeling right now, and the pain doesn't have to last forever. You deserve help, and it’s available.
If you need immediate help, please contact a helpline.
