Karnal News: Toilets to be built for the disabled, transgender people, and women in the court complex
Karnal. Preparations have begun to provide clean and safe toilet facilities for the disabled, women, and members of the transgender community visiting the court complex. The Public Works Department will construct a state-of-the-art toilet at a cost of approximately ₹13 lakh. This well-equipped toilet will prove to be a major relief for visitors to the complex. The most distinctive feature of the toilet complex is a separate restroom for women, where they can breastfeed their young children. Women, litigants, and other women often faced inconvenience during lengthy court proceedings. The toilets will feature special ramps, wide doorways, and wheelchair-friendly designs for individuals with disabilities, allowing them to use the facilities without assistance. Many disabled people visiting the court have been demanding this facility for years. For the first time, separate toilets are being provided for the transgender community in the court complex. The department states that this step is an important initiative towards providing equal dignity and convenience to all citizens. ———–Construction work will begin soon. The goal is to complete it within the stipulated timeframe. The toilets will also include modern sanitation, safe water, ventilation, and regular maintenance. – Rajkumar, XEN, PWD Courtesy: Hindi News
Trans National Guard member sues Trump administration over bathroom restrictions
A transgender Illinois National Guard member filed a class action lawsuit challenging a Trump-Vance restroom policy for transgender and intersex federal workers. A civilian employee of the Illinois National Guard has filed a federal class action lawsuit challenging a Trump-Vance administration policy that bars transgender and intersex federal employees from using restrooms consistent with their gender. The complaint, filed on behalf of LeAnne Withrow, is backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of D.C., the ACLU of Illinois, and Democracy Forward. Withrow, of Springfield, Illinois, is a lead military and family readiness specialist and longtime National Guard employee. A former staff sergeant, she has earned multiple commendations, including the Illinois National Guard Abraham Lincoln Medal of Freedom. After President Trump issued a January 20 executive order directing federal agencies to require restroom use strictly according to “biological sex,” the Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Defense, and the National Guard Bureau issued compliance notices to employees nationwide. Shortly afterward, Withrow’s supervisors informed her she was no longer permitted to use women’s restrooms at work. Withrow first filed complaints with the Army National Guard Bureau Equal Opportunity Office and later with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, but neither process resolved the issue, prompting her to seek relief in federal court. The lawsuit argues the policy violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, citing the Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling that protections against sex discrimination include transgender employees. It also alleges violations of the Administrative Procedure Act. Withrow said she hopes the court will restore dignity for transgender federal workers. Attorneys for the ACLU and Democracy Forward condemned the policy as discriminatory, harmful, and part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to target transgender people in federal service. 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
India reaffirms commitment to transgender rights and inclusion
New Delhi, The Indian government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring dignity, autonomy, and equal opportunity for transgender persons, highlighting the strides made in legal, policy, and social reforms over the past decade. According to the 2011 census, around 4.87 lakh individuals in India identified as “other” in the gender category, representing the country’s non-binary population. Historically marginalized, this community has benefited from a series of reforms aimed at recognition, protection, and empowerment. “India has made significant progress in addressing historical marginalisation of the transgender community through legal protections, welfare schemes, and digital accessibility,” the government said in an official statement. “Ensuring that transgender persons live with dignity, autonomy, and opportunity remains central to India’s democratic and human rights commitments.” Key milestones include the 2014 Supreme Court ruling that recognized transgender individuals as a “third gender,” affirming their right to self-identify and directing the government to ensure equality and non-discrimination. This was followed by the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and the subsequent rules for its implementation in 2020. A National Council for Transgender Persons was established to advise on policies, legislation, and programs, alongside the launch of the National Portal for Transgender Persons in November 2020. Government initiatives have focused on systemic support and empowerment. The SMILE Scheme, introduced in February 2022, provides livelihood support, skill training, shelter through Garima Greh centres, and healthcare coverage under Ayushman Bharat TG Plus. Additionally, the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment issued the “Equal Opportunities Policy for Transgender Persons” to ensure equitable access to employment and other opportunities. “These measures collectively promote inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunities for transgender citizens, fostering a society where they can thrive with full rights and participation,” the government added. Courtesy : Daijiworld Note: This news is originally published on https:/daijiworld.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
A ruling to restore trans rights
With the Jane Kaushik verdict, the Supreme Court pushes substantive equality and signals hope amid systemic discrimination The judgement of the Supreme Court in Jane Kaushik v Union of India, delivered on October 17, 2025, by a bench consisting of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, is not only the vindication of a transgender woman’s fight against discrimination, but also a much-needed boost to the LGBTQI movement in the country. It appeared that the ruling in Supriyo v Union of India, which rejected marriage equality, dealt a severe blow to the movement towards LGBTQI equality through legal process. However, the decision in Jane Kaushik has reopened a path to justice. The logic and reasoning of the judgement, the important mandatory directions issued to the Union and state governments, as well as the continuing commitment to improving transgender lives, as seen in the constitution of a committee to take forward the constitutional vision of transgender rights, mark Jane Kaushik as a significant intervention by the top court. The petitioner, Jane Kaushik, is a transgender woman who suffered an all-too-common experience of discrimination against the community. Jane’s application for employment as a school teacher was rejected on the grounds of her being transgender. There being no functional mechanism to deal with grievances about discrimination of this nature, she had no choice but to approach the Supreme Court for redress. The Court found that there was discrimination perpetrated by the school in which Jane sought employment, as the institution did not employ her solely because she is transgender. For this act, the Court ordered the school to compensate Jane Kaushik with Rs 50,000. The apex court went beyond the individual petitioner and identified structural reasons for the discrimination suffered by Jane in the inactions of the government of Uttar Pradesh and the Union government, for which they were both ordered to compensate Jane with Rs 50,000 each. A key reason why transgender persons continue to experience discrimination in society lies in the grossly apathetic attitude of both the Union and state governments, which have reduced the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019 to a dead letter. The Court characterised this State inaction as neither ‘inadvertent or accidental’, but ‘intentional’ and stemming from ‘deep-rooted societal stigma’ which results in a ‘lack of bureaucratic will to effectuate the provisions of the 2019 Act and the 2020 Rules’. It is to be noted that the Act itself comes with flaws. For the Court, ‘the marginalisation of transgender persons is often perpetuated not only by overt acts of discrimination, but also through the silence and gaps in the statute, i.e., the 2019 Act.’ Jane Kaushik suffered discrimination during her application for employment because the state government has not bothered to implement even the flawed Act. This double failure is a form of ‘omissive discrimination’ which is violative of the constitutional guarantee of the equal protection of laws to transgender persons. The Supreme Court has refused to be silent in the face of this discrimination. It has taken constitutional action to both recognise and remedy gaps in the law so as to realise substantive equality, by crafting a series of innovative reliefs. Towards equal opportunity The Court has passed certain mandatory directions to both the Union and the state government to ensure that the Act translates into real protection of the community. Among the important interventions is the direction to state governments to ensure that every establishment (government or private) appoints a complaints officer to deal with grievances raised by transgender persons regarding violations of the Act. The Court, however, recognises that ‘directions’ alone may have a limited impact and has constituted a committee consisting of transgender rights advocates, academics, lawyers, and government officials. The committee has been tasked with the mandate of preparing a comprehensive report that includes the formulation of a ‘viable and comprehensive equal opportunity policy for the transgender community in the arenas of education and employment’. Among the members of the Committee from Karnataka are transgender rights activist Akkai Padmashali, senior advocate Jayna Kothari, and Nithya Rajshekhar from the Centre for Law and Policy Research. The committee must now initiate extensive engagement with the trans community and ensure that the concerns of every section of the community are represented in the committee’s deliberations. It is also up to the LGBTQI rights activists to engage intensively with the committee and ensure that it comes up with recommendations that can help transform the landscape for transgender rights in India. This is an opportunity that must not be missed. Arvind Narrain (The writer is a Bengaluru- based lawyer) Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author’s own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH. Courtesy : DH Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanherald.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Transgender persons can’t avail assisted reproductive technology benefit under existing laws, Centre tells Kerala HC
Kochi: A transgender person cannot avail the benefit of ART (assisted reproductive technology) under the existing ART Act and Rules in India, and the exclusion of transgender persons was made after detailed discussions and deliberations in parliamentary committees, the Union govt has submitted to the Kerala high court. The Act limits ART services to a specific category of people, namely, commissioning couples and single women, in the best interest of the child. Single men and transgender persons are not eligible to avail ART treatment, an affidavit filed by ministry of health and family welfare under secretary Vahboi Singsit, further stated. The affidavit was filed in response to a petition by a trans man who was female by birth and is currently undergoing sex reassignment treatment. The petitioner, a resident of Attingal in Thiruvananthapuram, sought permission to cryo-preserve his gametes so that he could use them for reproduction at a later stage. He had earlier approached a private fertility centre for gamete cryo-preservation, but the request was denied since the ART Act and Rules limit the benefits to commissioning couples and single women, prompting him to approach HC. Opposing his plea, the central govt submitted that whether transgender persons should be allowed to avail ART services is a matter of policy, and that experts must determine the impact of such a decision, particularly from the perspective of the welfare of children born through ART. The govt also pointed out that adoption regulations restrict unmarried and queer couples from adopting children, and that these issues have significant social consequences, especially concerning the health and welfare of future generations. Therefore, such questions fall within the policy domain, where the scope of judicial review is limited, the affidavit stated. Meanwhile, the bench of Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen adjourned the petition to Dec 1 for the petitioner to file reply affidavit. 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
Simone Biles feud returns as MyKayla Skinner pushes IOC for transgender ban while Donald Trump joins the global discussion
MyKayla Skinner, the Olympic silver medal gymnast, is asking the International Olympic Committee to move forward with a full ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports. She reacted after reports said the IOC was getting close to blocking male-born athletes from taking part in the women’s category at future Olympic Games. These reports came out earlier this week and quickly sparked debate. MyKayla Skinner shared her views in an op-ed she wrote for Fox News on Monday. She said she wants to protect young girls who train and dream about competing one day. Her comments came soon after an IOC spokesperson said on Tuesday that the “working group is continuing its discussions” and that more information will be given later. Right now, no final decision has been made by the IOC. MyKayla Skinner says IOC must act now as Donald Trump and US stars enter the debate MyKayla Skinner won her silver medal in the vault at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. In her piece, she said she feels a strong responsibility to speak because many female athletes feel scared to say anything. She wrote, “I want to be a voice for elite female athletes. I want to speak up for their futures.” She added that the early signs from the IOC gave her “hope” that things might finally change. — foxnews (@foxnews) MyKayla Skinner also asked the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee to make sure every rule protects women’s sports. She wrote, “When men compete in women’s categories, it is unfair and unsafe.” She ended her message with a strong line: “Athletes get hurt every day, but we should not accept insanity.” Donald Trump has also supported a transgender ban for the Olympic Games. He shared his views in late 2024, giving hope to groups that want the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics to avoid gender-rule disputes. MyKayla Skinner is now an ambassador for XX-XY Athletics, a group pushing to block transgender women from entering women’s competitions. But MyKayla Skinner has also faced backlash before. During the Paris 2024 Olympics, she spoke on her YouTube channel and questioned the strength of the Team USA gymnastics lineup. She said, “Besides Simone Biles, the depth is not what it used to be.” These words upset many, including Simone Biles. Simone Biles fired back on Instagram after winning gold in Paris. She posted a team photo and added, “lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions.” Simone Biles later wrote on Threads, “Not everyone needs a mic and a platform.” MyKayla Skinner blocked Simone Biles on Instagram, and Simone Biles posted about it on X. Jordan Chiles also shared a picture showing the block. Even McKayla Maroney joined in and criticized MyKayla Skinner’s comments. 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
Transpersons in state fear exclusion from voters’ list
Chennai: Disowned by their family members, most transpersons are at risk of getting disenfrachised in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters list. According to the most recent voters list, there were 9,120 transgender voters in the state. “Transgenders got voting rights only in 2004 and many got their voter ID cards only after that. Hence, they won’t figure in 2002 and 2005 rolls. Moreover, most of the transpersons were disowned by their family and won’t have the details of voter ID cards of either of their parents. Without these details, our SIR forms will be rejected and we will be disenfrachised,” Priya Babu, a member of the Tamil Nadu Transgenders Welfare Board, told TOI. Priya Babu said they have planned to meet the chief electoral officer of Tamil Nadu, Archana Patnaik, to seek an exemption for transgender voters from SIR and to allow them to vote with their existing voter ID cards. “I voted in 2024 Lok Sabha election but with SIR I will lose my vote,” Priya Babu said. Aruna, founder and director of the South Indian Transgenders Federation, said most transpersons have moved out of their native places and therefore do not possess their own records or those of their family members. “Family members of one of my friends Dhanam had obtained a death certificate for her and amassed her properties. Under such circumstances, how will she have any document,” Aruna asked. “I have planned to file a writ petition against the ECI for SIR at the Madras HC. I will fight to ensure that none of the transpersons loses their voting right,” Aruna 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
Transgender aspirant seeks BJP ticket for Nagpur civic body elections from Prabhag 23-D
Nagpur: With the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections nearing, political activity in Prabhag 23 has intensified after a transgender person, Rani Dhawle, expressed her desire to contest from seat D on a BJP ticket. Dhawle, who claimed to be leader of the transgender community in Nagpur city, said she has been a BJP worker for nearly 15-17 years. The seat matrix for Prabhag 23 has undergone a major reshuffle — A is reserved for SC, B for ST (woman), C for woman, and D is the only general seat. Earlier, in the 2017 polls, 23-C was a general category seat, from where BJP’s Narendra Borkar was elected. Following the reservation changes, senior BJP leader and three-time corporator Borkar has now shifted to the general seat D and plans to contest from the same prabhag. Borkar remains a strong organisational face for the party. The segment also has a history of multi-party representation, with NCP’s lone corporator Duneshwar Pethe previously elected from 23-D. Amid this churn, Rani Dhawle has decided to formally apply for the ticket. Speaking to TOI, Dhawle said she aspired to become Nagpur’s first transgender corporator and ensure rightful representation for the Kinnar Samaj. “Like in case of men and women, Kinnar Samaj too should also get justice,” she said, adding that her candidature was not just a personal ambition but a step toward securing dignity and space for the transgender community in mainstream politics. Dhawle said she has been consistently active in party work and hoped BJP would recognise her contribution. She gave example of Madhu Kinnar, India’s first transgender mayor from Raigadh Municipal Corporation in Chhattisgarh, as her inspiration. “Other states have shown the way. Nagpur should not remain behind. We should also get an opportunity to become Nagar Sevak,” said the 28-year-old Hiwri Nagar resident, who is a matriculate. With BJP yet to begin formal candidate interviews for the civic polls, which are likely to be held in early January, Dhawle’s entry has added a new social dimension to the contest in Prabhag 23-D. She plans to submit her form to BJP city president Dayashankar Tiwari on Monday. The final decision now rests with the party’s internal selection process. 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
BJP MP alleges forced conversion racket targeting transgender community
Amravati (Maharashtra), (PTI) BJP Rajya Sabha member Anil Bonde has alleged that a racket is operating in Maharashtra’s Amravati and Yavatmal districts to forcibly convert transgender individuals to Islam. Bonde told reporters here on Saturday that some transgender persons from Amravati approached him with a complaint of forced religious conversion, which has created an atmosphere of fear among the community. Some of the affected individuals reconverted to Hinduism through a ritual at the Kumbh Mela (held earlier this year at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh), he said. Bonde said he will inform Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the issue and demanded immediate police action into the matter. PTI COR CLS GK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BJP MP alleges forced conversion racket targeting transgender community in Maharashtra
Bonde told reporters on Saturday that some transgender persons from Amravati approached him with a complaint of forced religious conversion. BJP Rajya Sabha member Anil Bonde has alleged that a racket is operating in Maharashtra’s Amravati and Yavatmal districts to forcibly convert transgender individuals to Islam. Bonde told reporters on Saturday that some transgender persons from Amravati approached him with a complaint of forced religious conversion, which has created an atmosphere of fear among the community. Some of the affected individuals reconverted to Hinduism through a ritual at the Kumbh Mela (held earlier this year at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh), he said. Bonde said he will inform Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the issue and demanded immediate police action into the matter. Courtesy : Money Control Note: This news is originally published on https:/moneycontrol.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights