24 transgender people in India attempt mass suicide after alleged rape & blackmail of person in their community

24 transgender people in Madhya Pradesh, India were hospitalised after consuming floor cleaning material in a mass suicide attempt on Oct. 15.

According to Hindustan Times, the incident occurred at around 8:30pm in Indore city.

The group reportedly attempted mass suicide after a transgender person was allegedly raped and a member of their community were blackmailed by two individuals posing as journalists, reported The Indian Express.

Fell ill after consuming

CCTV footage which circulated online showed the group sitting together on the floor at the scene while simultaneously gulping down a light-coloured liquid.

Sounds of gagging and vomiting echoed as some individuals downed the contents of their bottles.

At one point, members of the group broke into a chant, clapping and pounding their chests in unison.

24 transgender people attempt MASS SUICIDE in India’s Indore

DRINK floor cleaner — rushed to hospital, now ‘stable’

Video captures them gulping and choking moments later pic.twitter.com/aZIqKZXSqB

— RT (@RT_com) October 18, 2025

Indore police deputy commissioner Anand Kaladgi confirmed that authorities were alerted after people noticed a "ruckus" at the Nandlalpura house where the transgender persons live, reported Hindustan Times.

Upon arrival, officers found that the individuals who had consumed the floor cleaning material, also known as phenyl, were unwell.

They were all immediately taken to a hospital and given medical attention.

Members of the community allegedly harassed

According to The Indian Express, the mass suicide attempt could have likely resulted from ongoing feuds and harassment between two groups in the transgender community.

However, members of the community said that the attempt was reportedly carried out as the group's response to an alleged rape and blackmail of a transgender person.

Police, nevertheless, reportedly said that this incident was a "different matter".

Two men, identified by authorities as Akshay and Pankaj, had reportedly pretended to be journalists and went to the Nandlapura area on Jun. 12.

They then allegedly raped, assaulted and threatened to defame a transgender person.

The alleged victim later made a police report, according to the Hindustan Times.

The two men have been arrested.

All 24 people in stable condition, transgender community demands justice

All of the transgender people are currently stable following their treatment.

According to The Times of India (TOI), a delegation of transgender people has demanded authorities to act against those responsible for the targeted harassment of those in the transgender community.

The group submitted a memorandum seeking justice following the mass suicide attempt, and submitted evidence against the two men.

Authorities confirmed that a "fair" investigation examining multiple complaints will be carried out, and legal action will proceed.

Top images via @dom_lucre/X