Bangalore: Over 500 sex workers rallied together today to demand the legalisation of sex work. Sexual minorities were also represented in the rally that started from Chikka Lalbagh in Majestic to Mysore Bank Circle.

"It is our body and we have the right to do anything we want with it. We want the government to recognise sex work as legitimate work," said Geeta, a member of the Karnataka Sex Workers' Union.

Sex workers demanded the amendment of the law specifically, the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. If the Act is amended even clients of sex workers can be arrested and imprisoned upto six months. "We are against the business of forcing children and adults against their will into sex work, but voluntary sex work by adults should be allowed. The amendment will deny sex workers the basic right to survival and livelihood," she added.

They feel that if clients are arrested, sex work will still continue underground and sex workers will be more prone to violence and sexually transmitted diseases like HIV. "Now, we have NGOs educating us. If sex work goes underground, they will not be able to reach us. Goondas and police too harass us. If sex work is made legal, we will be freed of this harassment," said Dilfaraz, a member of the sexual minorities community.