First Trans Activist To File Nomination For Kerala Assembly Elections Died By Suicide

A 28-year-old activist was found dead in an apartment in Kochi on July 20 few weeks after she made statements about her former party Democratic Social Justice Party (DSJP), alleging that the party leaders threatened, insulted and refused to cooperate with her. Officials said that they suspect the death of transwoman activist Anannyah Kumari Alex was due to suicide.

Alex was the first transwoman to have filed a nomination for the Kerala Assembly elections in 2021. However, owing to controversies, she drew back her name a day before the polling contest.

Death Of Transwoman Activist Anannyah Kumari Alex: 10 Things To Know

• Alex was found dead in an apartment in Kochi on Tuesday as reported by Matrubhumi.
• According to the police officials, Alex is suspected to have died by suicide.
• The 28-year-old activist was a celebrity make-up artist, stage show anchor and radio jockey.
• Alex filed nomination papers as a candidate for the Kerala Assembly elections which was held on April 6 this year.
• The first trans woman to do so, she represented the Democratic Social Justice Party (DSJP) from the Vengara constituency in Malappuram district.
• A day before polling, she drew back her name of the polls stating that the party used her name just to gain publicity and did not cooperate with her campaigning.
• “The DSJP leaders forced me to speak poorly of UDF candidate PK Kunhalikutty and to criticise the LDF government,” Alex said.
• Alex further alleged that she was being harassed by and receiving death threats from leaders of her own party.
• Alex, shortly prior to her death, alleged that the doctor who performed her sex-reassignment surgery last year neglected the surgery due to which even after a year of the surgery being done, she was unable to work due to severe physical pain.
• According to reports, she was facing a financial crisis.
• Earlier reports, as reported by India Today also mentioned about her facing threats.