Parliament passes Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026 with Rajya Sabha approving it today
Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday by a voice vote amid an Opposition-led walkout. The bill seeks to redefine the category of transgender, removes the provision of self-perceived gender identity and excludes several socio-cultural identities as well as transmasculine individuals from its ambit. It also further defines transgender persons within a biological framework, based on intersex variations and differences in sexual development. Replying to the discussion on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said the government is compassionate towards the well-being of the transgender community. He said the Bill has provisions to empower the transgenders and give them dignity. The Minister said that the NDA government has taken several initiatives to bring transgender people to the mainstream and stop discrimination against them. Starting the discussion in the Upper House, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said this bill dilutes the privacy of an individual provided under the Constitution. Opposing the Bill, Ms Chowdhury said self-identification cannot be taken away through bureaucratic certification. Criticizing the government, she said that the proposed bill undermines the fundamental rights and dignity of transgender persons. Calling such a move wrong and illegal, she argued that forcing transgender persons to provide their identity through official certificates is against the spirit of equality and dignity guaranteed by the constitution. She also questioned the government’s approach for not properly consulting with the transgender community before bringing the Bill. She also referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark NALSA judgement of 2014, which recognized the right of transgender persons to self-identify their gender. Ms Chowdhury said the proposed Bill violates the principles laid down in that judgement and fails to respect an already established legal framework. DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva also opposed the Bill, saying that even if the Bill is passed in Parliament with a majority, it will be struck down by the Supreme Court. He further added that the Bill violates Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution and it deprives the community of the right to freedom, dignity and self-determination. Supporting the Bill, BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni said, ” This Bill ensures justice, dignity, protection from criminalisation and legal safeguards for transgender persons. She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing this bill with certain amendments in order to ensure that the benefits reach the deserving people in a proper manner. She said there is a need for a law that brings justice to real transgender individuals and punishes fake ones. Mrs Kulkarni said the benefits should be extended to those who are transgender by birth. She said that the amendment to extend punishment will bring down the rate of crime and forced identities. TMC’s Saket Gokhale said that 31% of Transgender people in India have attempted suicide because of the discrimination that they are facing. He alleged that now the government is going to start discriminating against them as though social discrimination were not enough. He called it unacceptable. Mr Gokhale expressed concern that gender is going to be decided by the Chief Medical Officer and a District Magistrate, and the bill does not prescribe any qualifications for the Chief Medical Officer. Sanjay Singh of AAP said the Bill is a big let-down for the transgender community. He accused the government of not doing anything for the community. RJD’s Manoj Kr Jha said that prejudices against transgender people should stop, and they should be able to live with dignity. He added that self-determination of gender should not be taken away. CPI(M)’s John Brittas said it is a black-letter day and the Bill is taking India a century back. He pleaded with the government to either withdraw the Bill or refer it to a Select Committee. Jaya Bachchan of the Samajwadi Party also questioned the government over the legislation. She sought to know what the urgency was in bringing the Bill, without examining it with the depth and care that it deserved. Courtesy : NOA Note: This news is originally published on https:/newsonair.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar Transgender Welfare Board approves proposal to build temple in honour of PM Modi
Board member Rajan Singh said the state government will bear all expenses for the construction of the temple. PATNA: Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board has approved a proposal to build a temple in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recognition of his efforts to give respect and rights to the community. A decision to this effect was taken on Wednesday in the Board’s first meeting, held at the social welfare department in the Old Secretariat. The Board works under the state social welfare department. Board member Rajan Singh, who presented the proposal during the meeting, said that the transgender community wanted to express its gratitude to Prime Minister Modi by constructing a temple dedicated to him. He said that the temple would be built in Patna and the construction work would start after the state government identifies the land for the purpose. The state government will bear all expenses for the construction of the temple, he added. Singh said the transgender community in Bihar did not have a temple of its own, adding that the proposal was unanimously supported by the members and approved by the Board. Referring to the Board’s first meeting, Singh said it was the inaugural session following the implementation of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which provided the transgender community with institutional representation within the state secretariat. The Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board (Bihar Rajya Kinnar Kalyan Board) is a 28-member state panel under the Social Welfare Department, formed in August 2025 to protect community rights and drive social empowerment. Ramashankar Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Section 2(k) Transgender Persons Amendment Act 2026: Supreme Court Issues Notice on Fresh Plea, Tags With Pending Batch
Petition by transgender advocate challenges the proviso to Section 2(k) of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026, alleging it violates the Supreme Court’s NALSA ruling and threatens legal recognition based on self-identification. The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Union government on a fresh writ petition challenging the constitutional validity of the proviso to Section 2(k) of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026. The proviso to Section 2(k) of the Act provides that the term “transgender person” does not include, and has never included, persons with different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana tagged the petition with the batch of pending cases challenging the 2026 amendment to the Act. The petition has been filed by Ankani Biswas, a transgender advocate practising before the Calcutta High Court. What does the petition challenge? The petition assails the proviso to Section 2(k) of the amended Act, which states that the definition of a transgender person “shall not include, nor shall ever have been so included, persons with different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities”. According to the petitioner, the provision is unconstitutional because it departs from the Supreme Court’s landmark 2014 judgment in National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India (2014), which recognised self-identification as the basis of legal gender recognition. Why has the petitioner approached the court? The petitioner, who was assigned female at birth but later identified as a trans-masculine person, obtained a Transgender Identity Card in 2023 recognising them as a third-gender person. The petition argues that the amended provision creates uncertainty by suggesting that the legislature never intended to include persons with self-perceived identities within the definition of transgender persons. As a result, it raises concerns over the continued legal recognition of individuals who have already been issued transgender identity cards under the earlier legal framework. Concerns over professional identity The petitioner has also highlighted the practical consequences of the amendment, stating that they are an empanelled legal services counsel and one of the few advocates in West Bengal who regularly assist members of the transgender community. According to the plea, any uncertainty over the petitioner’s legal identity could affect professional records, undermine dignity and restrict access to justice for members of the community who seek legal assistance. Reliefs sought Apart from seeking to strike down the proviso as unconstitutional, the petitioner has sought an alternative direction that the amendment should not affect the rights of persons already recognised under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. In the alternative, the plea seeks a clarification from the Central government on whether the amended provision has any impact on existing holders of transgender identity cards. The present petition comes amid a batch of constitutional challenges pending before the Supreme Court against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026. On May 3, while issuing notice on the lead petitions, the top court declined to stay the operation of the amended law but agreed to examine the challenge, observing that the issues raised required consideration by a larger Bench. The matter was subsequently referred to a three-judge Bench. Subsequently, the Centre moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of similar petitions pending before the Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka and Rajasthan high courts. On June 15, the apex court stayed all proceedings before the high courts on challenges to the amendment and directed that the constitutional validity of the law be decided by the Supreme Court itself to avoid conflicting decisions. By – Salil Tiwari Courtesy : Law Beat Note: This news is originally published on https:/lawbeat.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Parliament passes Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026 with Rajya Sabha approving it today
Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday by a voice vote amid an Opposition-led walkout. The bill seeks to redefine the category of transgender, removes the provision of self-perceived gender identity and excludes several socio-cultural identities as well as transmasculine individuals from its ambit. It also further defines transgender persons within a biological framework, based on intersex variations and differences in sexual development. Replying to the discussion on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said the government is compassionate towards the well-being of the transgender community. He said the Bill has provisions to empower the transgenders and give them dignity. The Minister said that the NDA government has taken several initiatives to bring transgender people to the mainstream and stop discrimination against them. Starting the discussion in the Upper House, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said this bill dilutes the privacy of an individual provided under the Constitution. Opposing the Bill, Ms Chowdhury said self-identification cannot be taken away through bureaucratic certification. Criticizing the government, she said that the proposed bill undermines the fundamental rights and dignity of transgender persons. Calling such a move wrong and illegal, she argued that forcing transgender persons to provide their identity through official certificates is against the spirit of equality and dignity guaranteed by the constitution. She also questioned the government’s approach for not properly consulting with the transgender community before bringing the Bill. She also referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark NALSA judgement of 2014, which recognized the right of transgender persons to self-identify their gender. Ms Chowdhury said the proposed Bill violates the principles laid down in that judgement and fails to respect an already established legal framework. DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva also opposed the Bill, saying that even if the Bill is passed in Parliament with a majority, it will be struck down by the Supreme Court. He further added that the Bill violates Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution and it deprives the community of the right to freedom, dignity and self-determination. Supporting the Bill, BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni said, ” This Bill ensures justice, dignity, protection from criminalisation and legal safeguards for transgender persons. She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing this bill with certain amendments in order to ensure that the benefits reach the deserving people in a proper manner. She said there is a need for a law that brings justice to real transgender individuals and punishes fake ones. Mrs Kulkarni said the benefits should be extended to those who are transgender by birth. She said that the amendment to extend punishment will bring down the rate of crime and forced identities. TMC’s Saket Gokhale said that 31% of Transgender people in India have attempted suicide because of the discrimination that they are facing. He alleged that now the government is going to start discriminating against them as though social discrimination were not enough. He called it unacceptable. Mr Gokhale expressed concern that gender is going to be decided by the Chief Medical Officer and a District Magistrate, and the bill does not prescribe any qualifications for the Chief Medical Officer. Sanjay Singh of AAP said the Bill is a big let-down for the transgender community. He accused the government of not doing anything for the community. RJD’s Manoj Kr Jha said that prejudices against transgender people should stop, and they should be able to live with dignity. He added that self-determination of gender should not be taken away. CPI(M)’s John Brittas said it is a black-letter day and the Bill is taking India a century back. He pleaded with the government to either withdraw the Bill or refer it to a Select Committee. Jaya Bachchan of the Samajwadi Party also questioned the government over the legislation. She sought to know what the urgency was in bringing the Bill, without examining it with the depth and care that it deserved. Courtesy : NOA Note: This news is originally published on https:/newsonair.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Parliament passes Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026 with Rajya Sabha approving it today
Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday by a voice vote amid an Opposition-led walkout. The bill seeks to redefine the category of transgender, removes the provision of self-perceived gender identity and excludes several socio-cultural identities as well as transmasculine individuals from its ambit. It also further defines transgender persons within a biological framework, based on intersex variations and differences in sexual development. Replying to the discussion on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said the government is compassionate towards the well-being of the transgender community. He said the Bill has provisions to empower the transgenders and give them dignity. The Minister said that the NDA government has taken several initiatives to bring transgender people to the mainstream and stop discrimination against them. Starting the discussion in the Upper House, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said this bill dilutes the privacy of an individual provided under the Constitution. Opposing the Bill, Ms Chowdhury said self-identification cannot be taken away through bureaucratic certification. Criticizing the government, she said that the proposed bill undermines the fundamental rights and dignity of transgender persons. Calling such a move wrong and illegal, she argued that forcing transgender persons to provide their identity through official certificates is against the spirit of equality and dignity guaranteed by the constitution. She also questioned the government’s approach for not properly consulting with the transgender community before bringing the Bill. She also referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark NALSA judgement of 2014, which recognized the right of transgender persons to self-identify their gender. Ms Chowdhury said the proposed Bill violates the principles laid down in that judgement and fails to respect an already established legal framework. DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva also opposed the Bill, saying that even if the Bill is passed in Parliament with a majority, it will be struck down by the Supreme Court. He further added that the Bill violates Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution and it deprives the community of the right to freedom, dignity and self-determination. Supporting the Bill, BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni said, ” This Bill ensures justice, dignity, protection from criminalisation and legal safeguards for transgender persons. She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing this bill with certain amendments in order to ensure that the benefits reach the deserving people in a proper manner. She said there is a need for a law that brings justice to real transgender individuals and punishes fake ones. Mrs Kulkarni said the benefits should be extended to those who are transgender by birth. She said that the amendment to extend punishment will bring down the rate of crime and forced identities. TMC’s Saket Gokhale said that 31% of Transgender people in India have attempted suicide because of the discrimination that they are facing. He alleged that now the government is going to start discriminating against them as though social discrimination were not enough. He called it unacceptable. Mr Gokhale expressed concern that gender is going to be decided by the Chief Medical Officer and a District Magistrate, and the bill does not prescribe any qualifications for the Chief Medical Officer. Sanjay Singh of AAP said the Bill is a big let-down for the transgender community. He accused the government of not doing anything for the community. RJD’s Manoj Kr Jha said that prejudices against transgender people should stop, and they should be able to live with dignity. He added that self-determination of gender should not be taken away. CPI(M)’s John Brittas said it is a black-letter day and the Bill is taking India a century back. He pleaded with the government to either withdraw the Bill or refer it to a Select Committee. Jaya Bachchan of the Samajwadi Party also questioned the government over the legislation. She sought to know what the urgency was in bringing the Bill, without examining it with the depth and care that it deserved. Courtesy : NOA Note: This news is originally published on https:/newsonair.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Amid Oppression, India’s Catholics Provide Sanctuary for Trans People
Against the backdrop of a fight for fundamental rights for transgender people in India, the Catholic Church is building a refuge for the local trans community. In Kadarkarai Sagaya Madha Church in Ennore, Chennai, church leaders have instituted a “Catholic Desk” that offers job placement assistance and professional counseling for transgender people. It is just one link in a chain that is forming across India. Just a few weeks after Kadarkarai Sagaya Madha Church unveiled this desk, the first ministry of its kind in the archdiocese, the Indian Parliament passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, according to a news article in Religion Unplugged. This act stripped away what fundamental rights transgender persons achieved in India with the 2014 Supreme Court ruling in National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India, which “guaranteed the right to self-identify one’s gender.” The news article reports that the new amendment undermines these rights in several ways: “The new amendment [requires] the approval of a government-appointed medical board…before the state will legally recognize a transgender person’s identity. The new law also narrows the legal definition of transgender so radically that trans men, non-binary people and many who did not fit into socio-culturally legible categories like hijra or aravani (terms meaning third-gender and usually referring to transgender women, intersex individuals or eunuchs) are no longer recognized under Indian law at all.” International and scientific communities condemn the amendment. Amnesty International calls it “a serious setback for human rights in India,” while medical groups call it “scientifically inaccurate, medically unsound, and incompatible with contemporary standards of transgender healthcare.” The church’s quiet push to aid members of the trans community seems a lot more intentional in the face of this new law. The church in Ennore isn’t the only place the Catholic Church is becoming a refuge for Indian transgender persons, either. In Northeast India, Sister Prema Chowallur of the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod has been ministering to the Hijra community since 2016. According to Chowallur, this ministry began when she sat on a bus next to a transgender woman no one else would sit beside. This led her to open the Rainbow Home of the Seven Sisters, a shelter that also provides skills training and advocates for transgender children being admittedto the formal education system. The Archdiocese of Guwahati gave the home its backing. Chowullar’s approach to transgender ministry is “deliberately theological,” and uses the same language Pope Francis used when he stressed that the church must minister to those at the “peripheries.” Chowullar believes “this is the call of the Church today, to work for the rejected, discarded, and marginalized.” In Ennore, Father Leo Joseph leads the Catholic Desk initiative, with Inba Ignatius, founder of the Snegidhan Snegidhi Trust. The Trust has a long history providing shelter and support to transgender people in the region. Ignatius is from a Catholic family, but felt isolated from the church following her transition. She built the Snegidhan Snegidhi Trust “outside institutional structures.” With both Pope Leo and Pope Francis rpreaching kindness and care to all, Ignatius now sits on an eight-member committee that includes priests and religious sisters. Indian Church leaders are quick to emphasize they are helping to protect human dignity and providing spiritual accompaniment. Navigating the Hindu-nationalist political climate in India is complicated when offering shelter to a group that is also becoming more legally exposed. To trans Catholics in India, however, the rhetoric matters less than the existence of the Catholic Desk itself. Courtesy : NWM Note: This news is originally published on https:/newwaysministry.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
One arrested for murder of transgender person in Mirzapur
Varanasi: Mirzapur police on Friday arrested a man in connection with the murder of a transgender person whose body was found near a railway track at Usarhawa village under Padari police station limits in Mirzapur district. Arshalan, a resident of Ghosia in Bhadohi district’s Aurai area, lodged a complaint at Padari police station on Thursday, alleging that Sattar Khan alias Haseena was murdered and the body dumped near the railway track. Based on the complaint, police registered a case and launched an investigation. During the probe, teams from Padari police, the Special Operations Group (SOG) and the surveillance cell collected electronic and physical evidence and arrested the accused, identified as Sonu Vishwakarma, 25, of Chak Jeevrani in Bhadohi, on Friday. Police also seized the autorickshaw allegedly used in the crime. Padari SHO Pradeep Kumar Singh said during interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime. According to police, Vishwakarma said he was tired of living with Haseena and wanted to end the relationship, but the victim was not allowing him to do so and was allegedly blackmailing him. Police said the accused told investigators that he called Haseena to Ramnagar, served alcohol, assaulted the victim while intoxicated and then strangled her to death. He allegedly transported the body in the autorickshaw and dumped it near the railway track in a secluded area under Padari police station limits. To mislead investigators, the accused allegedly placed a heavy stone on the victim’s neck before fleeing, police said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bharathiar University plans separate hostel for transgender students
COIMBATORE: Bharathiar University is planning to establish a separate hostel for transgender students to address accommodation challenges they face. A proposal for this initiative is expected to be presented before the syndicate for approval. Currently, some transgender students pursuing postgraduate programmes in the university have reported difficulties in finding accommodation in private hostels or houses. A transwoman was initially denied admission to the university but was later accepted following public outcry. However, she faced further difficulties in securing accommodation nearby and ultimately had to rent a house in Vellalore, which is more than 25 km away from the university. As a result, her daily commute takes more than two hours. To address these pressing issues, it was suggested that the university consider providing accommodation on campus. According to sources, the university is planning to establish a dedicated hostel with more than 20 rooms for transgender students. University registrar R Rajavel stated that this initiative could serve as a model for fostering an inclusive environment in higher education institutions, inspiring other universities and colleges to follow Bharathiar University’s lead. He said, “A transwoman from the commerce department has raised this concern. We plan to place before the syndicate a proposal to establish a dedicated hostel transgender students. Once it is approved, we will send it to the state govt.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Judge asks Pentagon how troop TRT differs from care denied to trans men
A US judge has asked the Pentagon to explain how testosterone therapy for troops differs from hormone treatment for transgender men. The order sharpens scrutiny of the military’s unequal medical standards as Trump’s ban remains in force. A US judge has asked the Pentagon to explain how testosterone replacement therapy for troops differs from hormone treatment given to transgender men in the military, as she hears a legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender service members. US District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington raised the issue after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new initiative to screen troops for low testosterone and offer voluntary treatment. Reyes said the court wanted both sides to address the medical and logistical similarities and differences between testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, for trans men and for other service members, including cis individuals. In her order on Wednesday, Reyes pointed to language in Trump’s ban which says “the Armed Forces must adhere to high mental and physical health standards … without the benefit of routine medical treatment or special provisions.” She also sought information on the Pentagon’s “basis for treating trans men and other service members differently between this new policy and the Military Ban”. The order came a week after Hegseth said the Pentagon was launching a screening programme for “testosterone deficiency” among troops, saying it was needed to help them perform at their “absolute best”. He said annual screenings would be part of mandatory medical checks for service members aged 30 and above, while those under 30 could choose to be tested. In a video posted on social media, Hegseth said testosterone replacement therapy would be voluntary. The issue comes amid wider advocacy by other Trump administration officials for easier access to testosterone replacement therapies for men. However, the messaging from Hegseth and others has mixed established science on the hormone with broader claims that are less substantiated. Testosterone levels in men naturally decline with age and have long been linked to problems such as erectile dysfunction, low libido, mood changes and weight gain. Experts, however, have debated for years how such problems should be diagnosed and whether replacing the hormone is the right treatment. Reyes, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, is handling one of the lawsuits against Trump’s transgender military ban. Transgender active-duty service members and former personnel seeking to re-enlist filed the case in late January 2025, soon after Trump began his second term. Reyes had earlier ruled against Trump’s executive order excluding transgender troops, but a divided federal appeals court panel later sent the case back to her after partly upholding her order and finding that the ban was unlawful and that the service members who sued could not be removed. She has since granted the case class-action status, meaning any eventual outcome could apply to all service members. For now, Trump’s ban on transgender troops remains in force, with the US Supreme Court allowing the Pentagon to enforce it while the legal battle continues. Reyes’ latest order has brought fresh focus to how the military is treating testosterone therapy for different groups of service members. Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Parliament passes Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026 with Rajya Sabha approving it today
Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday by a voice vote amid an Opposition-led walkout. The bill seeks to redefine the category of transgender, removes the provision of self-perceived gender identity and excludes several socio-cultural identities as well as transmasculine individuals from its ambit. It also further defines transgender persons within a biological framework, based on intersex variations and differences in sexual development. Replying to the discussion on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said the government is compassionate towards the well-being of the transgender community. He said the Bill has provisions to empower the transgenders and give them dignity. The Minister said that the NDA government has taken several initiatives to bring transgender people to the mainstream and stop discrimination against them. Starting the discussion in the Upper House, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said this bill dilutes the privacy of an individual provided under the Constitution. Opposing the Bill, Ms Chowdhury said self-identification cannot be taken away through bureaucratic certification. Criticizing the government, she said that the proposed bill undermines the fundamental rights and dignity of transgender persons. Calling such a move wrong and illegal, she argued that forcing transgender persons to provide their identity through official certificates is against the spirit of equality and dignity guaranteed by the constitution. She also questioned the government’s approach for not properly consulting with the transgender community before bringing the Bill. She also referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark NALSA judgement of 2014, which recognized the right of transgender persons to self-identify their gender. Ms Chowdhury said the proposed Bill violates the principles laid down in that judgement and fails to respect an already established legal framework. DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva also opposed the Bill, saying that even if the Bill is passed in Parliament with a majority, it will be struck down by the Supreme Court. He further added that the Bill violates Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution and it deprives the community of the right to freedom, dignity and self-determination. Supporting the Bill, BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni said, ” This Bill ensures justice, dignity, protection from criminalisation and legal safeguards for transgender persons. She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing this bill with certain amendments in order to ensure that the benefits reach the deserving people in a proper manner. She said there is a need for a law that brings justice to real transgender individuals and punishes fake ones. Mrs Kulkarni said the benefits should be extended to those who are transgender by birth. She said that the amendment to extend punishment will bring down the rate of crime and forced identities. TMC’s Saket Gokhale said that 31% of Transgender people in India have attempted suicide because of the discrimination that they are facing. He alleged that now the government is going to start discriminating against them as though social discrimination were not enough. He called it unacceptable. Mr Gokhale expressed concern that gender is going to be decided by the Chief Medical Officer and a District Magistrate, and the bill does not prescribe any qualifications for the Chief Medical Officer. Sanjay Singh of AAP said the Bill is a big let-down for the transgender community. He accused the government of not doing anything for the community. RJD’s Manoj Kr Jha said that prejudices against transgender people should stop, and they should be able to live with dignity. He added that self-determination of gender should not be taken away. CPI(M)’s John Brittas said it is a black-letter day and the Bill is taking India a century back. He pleaded with the government to either withdraw the Bill or refer it to a Select Committee. Jaya Bachchan of the Samajwadi Party also questioned the government over the legislation. She sought to know what the urgency was in bringing the Bill, without examining it with the depth and care that it deserved. Courtesy : NOA Note: This news is originally published on https:/newsonair.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights