Transgender Manipur activist cycles across states to spread message of peace

KOLKATA: (Nov 23) Transgender Manipur social activist Malem Thongam, who embarked on a 3,000-km journey on a cycle from Delhi, reached West Bengal after travelling through several states, spreading the message of peace for the northeastern state in the wake of the deadly ethnic violence.

Thongam began her ride on October 2, cycling through Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and will continue onward to Assam, Nagaland and finally Manipur. “Humanity should prevail over differences of religion, caste, community and ethnicity,” she told PTI on Saturday.

“I stand before you as a Manipur transgender activist, a survivor and a seeker of peace,” she said. “On October 2, 2025, I began a 3,000-km journey from Qutub Minar, cycling across India for Manipur’s peace.”