On Monday, a trans woman named Sajna Shaji, who was engaged in biriyani sale on the street-side Kochi was assaulted and verbally abused by the vendor. A video of Sajana breaking down after the alleged assault had also gone viral.

"They have placed a hoarding covering ours. When any vehicle stops on the road, they rush towards it and sell food from their stall. They also used to hurl abuses at the transgender community whenever customers reach the stall. The man and his group also started spreading rumours that our biriyani was of substandard quality. He continued to attack us in various ways. On the other day, the man and his gang manhandled me and other workers in my shop when we were selling biriyani in front of their vehicle," Sajna said in the video.

Despite lodging a complaint to the Police, they refused to register a case. After the video grabbed the attention of the media, help is pouring in for Sajna from all quarters. Actor Jayasurya too has come forward, offering to set up a biryani shop for the members of the community.

Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Social Welfare K.K. Shylaja spoke to Sajana over phone and promised all help from the Social Welfare Department through its We Care Project.