Praveen Nath, a transgender bodybuilder from Kerala, India, reportedly died by suicide after facing harassment on social media. Nath’s partner, Rishana Aishu, was hospitalized after attempting suicide shortly after his death. The couple married on Valentine’s Day this year and became the victims of trolling after reports circulated that they were separating. Nath clarified on social media that they were not breaking up, but the scrutiny continued to impact their mental health.
A Champion for the Trans Community
Nath was well-known in Kerala as a bodybuilder and advocate for the transgender community. He won the title of Mr. Kerala in 2021 and was a finalist at the 2022 National Bodybuilding competition in Mumbai. His journey to achieving his first title involved the Body Building Association of Kerala creating a new category for transgender bodybuilders in the competition. Nath’s victory was a moment of joy for the trans community in Kerala, and he served as the advocacy coordinator of Sahayatrika, a group that supports lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people from Kerala.
Demand for Legal Action
Following Nath’s death, the Kerala transgender community filed a complaint with the chief minister and the director general of police, seeking legal action against online media. The exact charges are unclear. A friend of Nath’s spoke out about the anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment online, highlighting the toxic environment queer individuals face. The tragic loss of Praveen Nath underscores the need for greater awareness and support for mental health in the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of addressing online harassment.