Cong mobilises students ahead of Rahul’s Prayagraj event
Prayagraj: A day after the Kayastha Pathshala (KP) authorities restored permission for Rahul Gandhi’s “Chhatron Ki Goonj” programme, preparations gathered pace across Sangam City on Friday, with senior Congress leaders camping in the city and youth workers reaching out to students to ensure a large turnout. The Congress MP is scheduled to interact with students at KP Ground on Saturday evening on issues related to education, employment and recruitment. While the state and district Congress leadership is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the participation of the maximum number of youths from Prayagraj and adjoining districts, the entire city has been flooded with posters and banners of “Chhatron Ki Goonj”. The event in Prayagraj, often referred to as the students’ hub of eastern UP, will be the third in the country after Kota and Dehradun, as the Congress campaign focuses on the future of the youth, transparency in recruitment examinations, employment and reforms in the education system. Rahul is scheduled to reach Prayagraj around 3.15 pm on Saturday and will head to Swaraj Bhawan, where he will meet people, including senior leaders and party workers. He will interact with students at KP Ground between 5 pm and 7.30 pm and later leave for Delhi around 10 pm. Mohd Farhan, organiser of the “Chhatron Ki Goonj” event, told TOI, “Over 1.74 lakh students have registered for the event.” He added that senior Congress functionaries, including Aradhana Mishra (member of the UP Legislative Assembly), Rajendra Pal Gautam (AICC in-charge for UP), UPCC chief Ajay Rai and others, are camping in the city to make the event a grand success. Rai said that Rahul is visiting Prayagraj to stand in solidarity with the students. He clarified that it is not a political event and that there will be no party flags or political activities, but only discussions on issues concerning students. The Kayastha Pathshala authorities had cancelled the venue for Rahul Gandhi’s event on Wednesday. However, KP president Chaudhary Jitendra Nath Singh, in response to an undertaking submitted by UPCC chief Ajay Rai, revoked the earlier decision and permitted the event at KP Ground with a seven-point directive. The Kayastha Pathshala granted permission after taking note of the approval issued by the district administration. The Indian Youth Congress on Friday announced that it will set up ‘Students Goonj Parks’ at more than 250 locations across the country on August 8, where students will gather to watch Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with students in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj live. According to an official statement, large LED screens will be installed at designated student hubs and other high-footfall locations to livestream Gandhi’s interaction, with the initiative aimed at taking the conversation beyond Prayagraj and creating spaces for students to discuss issues related to education and examinations. 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
‘Visible change of heart’: Rijiju challenges Rahul Gandhi to support women’s quota Bill
NEW DELHI: Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday targeted Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks on women’s freedom of expression and challenged him to support the BJP-backed Women’s Reservation Bill “unconditionally”. Rijiju’s remarks came after Rahul Gandhi posted a video calling for greater freedom of expression for women and arguing that India cannot fully develop without women being able to express themselves freely. Responding to the senior Congress leader, Rijiju said Rahul Gandhi’s message appeared to be a positive change and urged the Congress to support the Women’s Reservation Bill without conditions. “This seems to be a positive message from the Congress Party. There’s a visible change of heart in Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji about the Women. Now, I hope the Congress Party will support the Women’s Reservation Bill unconditionally,” the Union minister posted on X. The Congress and other opposition parties have supported the Women’s Reservation Bill but have opposed linking its implementation to the delimitation exercise. The opposition has demanded that women’s reservation be delinked from delimitation, which would determine the number of Lok Sabha seats. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, was passed by both Houses of Parliament. However, its implementation did not move forward after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to secure the required two-thirds majority of members present and voting in the Lok Sabha on April 17. The legislation provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies and links its implementation to delimitation. Earlier, Rahul said in a social media video that women in India should be given greater freedom to express themselves in all areas of life. He said, “The energy of India’s women is trapped. It is not allowed to express itself. It is not allowed to imagine. For me, no country can be successful if its women are not expressing themselves. And I think a lot of my politics, and a lot of what politics should be in this country, is about making people understand that our country is stunted and incomplete without the expression of women.” Rahul further said, “It’s not just them doing well in business or politics, but being able to express in their houses, walk the streets comfortably, them putting a point of view that many don’t agree with, questioning their parents, husbands, brothers.” “A certain amount of freedom from patriarchy and the rigid control men put on women is required if India wants to develop. It has been assaulted and put in the back seat, and we have to bring back women into conversation and allow them to express,” the Congress leader added. Rahul posted his message on women’s freedom after meeting Gen Z protesters and highlighting the repercussions they have faced following their protests amid the crackdown. 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
Bengaluru’s LGBTQIA+ athletes return from Gay Games
The athletes also highlighted the lack of inclusive sports policies in India, particularly for transgender and non-binary sportspersons. BENGALURU: Fresh from representing India at the Gay Games 2026 in Valencia, Spain, Bengaluru’s LGBTQIA+ athletes on Wednesday called for greater institutional recognition, financial assistance and inclusive sports policies, saying the country’s queer athletes continue to overcome significant barriers to compete internationally. The athletes were felicitated at Celebrating Queer Excellence, organised by the All India Professionals’ Congress (AIPC) LGBTQIA+ and Sports Domain in collaboration with Queer Nilayam and Dark Vibe Society. Among those felicitated was Gowthami Kandhasami (Goaty), who emerged as one of India’s top performers at the Gay Games. Competing in the women’s 25-29 years category, she won gold in high jump, 5-km run, 10,000-metre indoor run and 42-km marathon, besides securing silver in the 10-km run. She also bagged silver in the women’s overall 42-km marathon and was part of the mixed 4×400-metre relay team that won silver. Sumit Pawar, competing in the 35-39 years category, won the gold medal in the javelin throw and called for greater recognition and support for LGBTQIA+ athletes representing India. However, they said reaching the games itself was a struggle. Months of rigorous training had to be accompanied by fundraising, personal savings and support from friends, mentors and community members to cover travel and participation expenses. They urged governments and sport bodies to introduce scholarships and financial assistance for athletes representing India internationally, regardless of whether they win medals. The athletes also highlighted the lack of inclusive sports policies in India, particularly for transgender and non-binary sportspersons. 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
10 Years of the Una Dalit Incident: The victim’s family, desperate for justice, seeks community support in the High Court.
10 Years of the Una Incident: After disappointment in the lower court, the victim’s family seeks financial assistance from the community. Gujarat: A decade has passed since the highly publicized Dalit harassment case in Una, Gir Somnath district. Ten years ago, four Dalit youths were publicly beaten after being falsely accused of cow slaughter for skinning dead cows. Now, the victims of this horrific incident are pleading for financial support from the community to continue their fight for justice. In March of this year, a lower court in Veraval acquitted 35 accused in the case. The victims have appealed to the Gujarat High Court to challenge this decision. The next hearing on the appeal is scheduled for August 25th. According to the Indian Express report, Vashram Sarvaiya, one of the victims of the public beating, says that over the past ten years, he has incurred significant debt and expenses to fight his case. His sources of income are extremely limited. He did not seek help for a decade, but now he desperately needs financial support from society to continue his legal battle. Vashram explained that he will need funds to pursue justice in the High Court and, if necessary, the Supreme Court. The last hearing on Vashram’s appeal pending before the Gujarat High Court was held on July 20. That day, a division bench of the High Court directed the registry to summon the entire record of the lower court proceedings and listed the case for August 25. To seek justice, Vashram has been sending WhatsApp messages to his acquaintances since July 11, 2026, appealing for financial assistance directly to his bank account via UPI. He has also contacted people through phone calls and messages. His Gujarati message is deeply moving. It states that today his family is completely financially ruined. If society unites and supports this fight, even if only by a small amount of a flower petal, they will be able to win this battle for self-respect in the High Court and Supreme Court. The message further states that higher courts are highly expensive, so society should consider it its collective responsibility to help the victim’s family get justice. According to Vashram, since July 11, 2026, he has sent such messages to approximately 30 people in Gujarat, 10 of whom have contributed financially. He urgently needs at least two lakh rupees to fight the case. Depending on how long this legal battle drags on and whether the case reaches the Supreme Court, this expense could increase significantly. This entire incident has also severely affected the employment opportunities of the affected youth. Vashram explains that whenever he goes out to ask for work, people look at him as if he himself had slaughtered a cow. Due to this constant humiliation and discomfort, they have now stopped looking for work. Skinning dead animals has been a traditional occupation of the Dalit Sarvaiya community. On July 11, 2016, Vashram and two of his relatives were skinning dead cows outside Mota Samadhiyala village in the Una tehsil of Gir Somnath district. One of the cows had been killed by a lion. When some people claiming to be cow protectors arrived in two vehicles, they accused them of cow slaughter. The Dalit youths were then tied up and brutally beaten with sticks and iron rods. Vashram, along with Bechar, Ashok, and Ramesh, were taken to Una town, where they were publicly flogged and tortured again. After the video of this brutal attack went viral on social media, widespread outrage spread across the country. The then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Anandiben Patel, visited the Sarvaiya family. Following this incident, Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani organized a massive protest, which later catapulted him to the Gujarat Assembly. A total of 41 people, including four policemen from the Una police station, were prosecuted in this serious case. During the trial, then-Police Inspector Nirmal Singh Jhala died. On March 16th of this year, Veraval Additional Sessions Judge Jignesh Pandya delivered the verdict. He acquitted 35 accused, including three policemen who faced serious charges of abetment to crime, negligence, and falsification of government records. The court found only five people guilty of intentionally causing hurt with dangerous weapons, hostage taking, insulting with intent to provoke breach of peace, and insulting members of the Scheduled Castes. Those convicted include Ramesh Jadhav, Rakesh Joshi, Nagjibhai Vaniya, Pramodgiri Goswami, and Balwantgiri Goswami. Disappointed with the verdict, Vashram Sarvaiya told the media at the time that he would challenge this unsatisfactory decision in higher courts. Today, they are seeking help from everyone who believes in humanity. On July 11th, marking the 10th anniversary of the incident, a state-level “Justice and Solidarity Conference” was held at the Mangal Pandey Auditorium in Ahmedabad. There, Balu Sarvaiya, the father of Vashram and Ramesh, declared that he would continue his fight for justice as long as he lived. He said that after ten years of struggle, their case was suppressed in the lower court, but he would go to the Supreme Court and, if necessary, even protest against the government. Vashram also alleged that the accused have created a fund to continue their legal battle and are receiving covert support from political organizations. In response, the Sarvaiya family is also gathering support from members of the Dalit community and other humanitarian communities. He said that if needed, they can also seek support by posting videos on social media. Vashram’s family is landless. Their only reliable source of income is selling milk from their one cow and one buffalo. The family consists of Vashram, his wife, a daughter, younger siblings, and parents. They earn only ₹350 per day from milk sales. A few months ago, one of the two cows they reared was killed by a lion, further reducing their income. It is noteworthy that the lion population has increased significantly in the areas surrounding the Una tehsil of Gir Somnath district since the early 2000s, as lions are now moving out of the Gir protected forests
A Dalit fourth-grade student was brutally beaten for touching a water bottle. The NHRC issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government.
The NHRC has taken a strong stance on the assault and caste-based abuse of a Dalit student in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, for drinking from a water bottle, and the death of a girl in Haryana due to contaminated water. It has issued notices to both state governments. New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken a strong stance on the incident of assault and caste-based abuse against a Dalit fourth-grade student in a government school in Madhya Pradesh. The Commission has issued notices to the Madhya Pradesh government and police officials seeking responses in this serious matter. This inhumane incident occurred on July 28th in Ukawal village, Shivpuri district. It is reported that a primary school teacher saw the child drinking from his bottle. Enraged, he not only brutally beat the innocent student but also hurled casteist abuse at him. The Commission took suo motu cognizance of this incident through a news report published on August 1st. The human rights panel has clarified that if this report is true, it represents a very serious case of gross human rights violations. The victim child recounted his ordeal to his parents upon reaching home, following which the family filed a police complaint. Given the seriousness of the matter, the NHRC has requested a detailed report from the state Chief Secretary and the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Shivpuri within two weeks. The Commission has also directed that this report should clearly state the statutory compensation and relief provided to the victim student. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission has also issued a notice to the Haryana government in another tragic incident. This case is from Shahzadpur in Ambala district, where a 12-year-old girl died tragically after allegedly drinking contaminated water due to jaundice. Local residents allege that the drinking water supplied from public taps in the area is completely contaminated. This toxic water has also caused several other children to contract jaundice and fall ill. In light of this alarming situation, the Commission has sought a response from the Chief Secretary of Haryana within two weeks. Based on the report, which was released on August 3rd, the Commission has asked the administration what concrete steps are being taken to address the contaminated water problem. The report also sought information on the current health status of other sick children undergoing treatment. The deceased girl was initially undergoing treatment for jaundice at a local hospital. When her condition worsened, doctors referred her to PGIMER, Chandigarh, where she succumbed to her injuries. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Rahul proposes INDIA bloc visit to injured Bihar student protesters
While there was broad consensus on the proposal, the bloc is yet to finalise the date and composition of the delegation, sources said. NEW DELHI: As the deadlock in Parliament continues over the NEET row, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday proposed that leaders of the INDIA bloc jointly visit students in Bihar who were allegedly assaulted during recent protests, sources said. The proposal was discussed at an INDIA bloc meeting, where leaders agreed that such a visit should take place during the ongoing Monsoon Session to keep the issue at the centre of the Opposition’s campaign both inside and outside Parliament. While there was broad consensus on the proposal, the bloc is yet to finalise the date and composition of the delegation, sources added. Last week, Gandhi attacked the Modi government over allegations that AK-47 rifles were used against protesting students in Bihar and demanded action against those responsible for the alleged attacks. According to leaders present at the meeting, the Opposition believes the alleged police crackdown on students should remain one of its principal political issues both inside and outside Parliament. The proposal comes a day after the venue provider in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, revoked permission for Gandhi’s Chhatron Ki Goonj event, scheduled for Saturday, citing an Allahabad High Court order. However, Gandhi said that no matter how hard the BJP government tries, it cannot stop him from raising students’ voices. Ask Me Anything In another outreach to Gen Z, Gandhi on Thursday launched an “Ask Me Anything” session on Instagram, inviting students to interact with him directly. Sharing a link to the initiative on X, Gandhi wrote, “Students, Gen-Z — I’m here to listen. Ask me anything on Instagram, and I’ll answer as many questions as I can.” On Wednesday, Gandhi met a group of students who had protested last month, demanding the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the paper leak issue, and who allegedly faced police excesses on July 20. Preetha Nair 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
Rahul Gandhi gets nod for Prayagraj event ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ after venue cancellation is revoked
The administration restored permission for the August 8 ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event after KP College had earlier withdrawn approval citing academic activities and a court order. Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has received permission to hold his proposed ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj after the administration revoked the earlier cancellation of the venue booking. The public interaction with students is scheduled to be held on August 8. The programme had briefly been thrown into uncertainty after the management of KP College withdrew permission for the use of its sports ground, citing academic concerns and an Allahabad High Court order that emphasised preventing disruption to students’ academic activities. In a letter to the City Congress Committee, the acting president of Kayasth Pathshala, Chaudhary Jitendra Nath Singh, said the decision to cancel the booking was based on inputs from the college principal and the High Court’s August 14, 2025, order. The organisers were also asked to collect the deposited amount. However, the cancellation was later revoked, clearing the way for the event. Earlier on Thursday, Gandhi alleged that the administration had been attempting to prevent the programme from taking place ever since he announced his visit to Prayagraj. In a post on X, Gandhi said students of Allahabad University were protesting against fee hikes and seat cuts, but instead of addressing their concerns, the administration had responded by registering FIRs against them. “Students of Allahabad University are fighting for their future against fee hikes and seat cuts. But instead of listening to the students, the administration is filing FIRs against them,” he wrote. Alleging that the Narendra Modi government was suppressing the voices of young people, Gandhi said, “Ask a question, and you get a lathi charge; protest and you face cases, and raise your voice and you get pellet guns.” “Ever since I decided to come to Prayagraj to hear the students’ side, the administration has been trying every possible way to stop my programme. It’s clear that they are even afraid of the students’ echo,” he added. 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
Rahul Gandhi reveals his favourite BJP leader in candid Gen Z ‘Ask Me Anything’ on Instagram
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched an “Ask Me Anything” session on Instagram as part of a fresh outreach to Gen Z, responding to questions on student protests, women’s education, politics and even lighter topics such as Batman. Sharing the initiative on X, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha wrote, “Students, Gen-Z — I’m here to listen. Ask me anything on Instagram, and I’ll answer as many questions as I can.” The Congress later shared video clips of his responses. Responding to a question on the ongoing student agitation in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, Gandhi said the country’s education system had “collapsed” and urged governments across party lines to pay attention to students’ concerns. “The student protests that are happening in the country are against the education system. I have said it in Kota, Dehradun and will say it in Allahabad that our education system has collapsed. It is unaffordable and oppressive,” Gandhi said. “Every government, whether it is the Centre, a Congress government or the Jharkhand government, should listen to what students are saying and take action to change the education system,” he added. The protest in Jharkhand entered its 13th day on Thursday, with six demonstrators continuing an indefinite hunger strike. Student groups have formed an 11-member delegation for talks with the state government over their demands. Asked what message he had for young women fighting for their right to education, Gandhi said women deserved equal — if not greater — space in every sphere of life. “India’s women are our biggest strength. I do not appreciate the way women are treated in society, in our education system or in the corporate sector. You be confident, you be brave, you be powerful exactly as you are, and we are there to fully support you,” he said. In one of the lighter moments of the interaction, Gandhi was asked to name his favourite politician from the BJP. He named former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, saying they got along well and praising his knowledge of military history. On the state of education, Gandhi alleged that the system was “busy destroying thinkers” and claimed that after being “captured” by the RSS, its focus had shifted to discouraging independent thinking among young people. Asked if he was Batman, Gandhi joked, “Let’s just say that no one has ever seen me and Batman in the same room together.” Replying to a question on the philosophy that inspires him the most, Gandhi referred to the ideas of Lord Buddha, Guru Nanak Dev, Basavanna, Sankardev, Birsa Munda, Periyar, Mahatma Phule, Narayana Guru, B R Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi, among others, saying these traditions had shaped India’s Constitution. The Instagram interaction came a day after Gandhi met students who had protested over the NEET paper leak and allegedly faced police action last month. On Wednesday, he accused Union home minister Amit Shah of being responsible for the violence against the protesters and claimed the government had failed to explain the incident in Parliament. Gandhi has increasingly been using Instagram to engage with students and young voters. The platform has emerged as a key battleground for political outreach, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers and leaders across parties also stepping up their engagement with Gen Z audiences. 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
Jharkhand student protest Day 14: Hunger strike continues as BJP, Rahul Gandhi back students
NEW DELHI: The protest by JPSC and JSSC aspirants in Jharkhand entered its 14th day on Thursday, with students demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, while political pressure on the Hemant Soren government intensified. The protest, launched on July 25 under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, has grown into one of Jharkhand’s largest student-led movements in recent years. Protesters are seeking cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, an independent probe into alleged irregularities, and comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and JSSC. Here are the top developments: BJP MLAs protest outside Assembly BJP MLAs on Thursday staged a protest outside the Jharkhand Assembly, on the first day of the Monsoon Session, over alleged irregularities in the state competitive examinations. Speaking to ANI, BJP MLA Alok Chaurasia said, “The Bharatiya Janata Party stands firmly and vocally with the students regarding the functioning of Jharkhand government agencies such as JPSC, JSSC, and CJL, as well as the widespread corruption across the state, particularly the fraud committed against students…” The legislators raised slogans against the government, with chief whip Naveen Jaiswal alleging it was “selling” Jharkhand’s youths’ future and demanding a CBI probe, saying, “nobody trusts your CID and committee.” Rahul Gandhi speaks to aspirants Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to JPSC-JSSC aspirants over the phone on Thursday. Student leader Piyush Kumar said the students raised their demand for cancellation of the examination, an investigation and reforms. “We told him of our demands, that exam should be cancelled, regarding investigation and reforms. He said that he stands with our demands, and that they will take it up with the Govt. He said that he stands with and supports students…We are yet to get any official information regarding the date and time of meeting (with the government),” Kumar said. Student leader Ravindra Paswan said Gandhi enquired about the situation at the protest site. “He asked us about the situation here. We told him about the irregularities in exams here. We told him that Congress is in the government in Jharkhand and they should help us. He told us that he stands with students,” Paswan said. 11-member delegation finalised According to JPSC JSSC Reform Manch, protesting students have finalised an 11-member delegation for talks with the state government. The group comprises eight student representatives, one lawyer and two technical experts. The eight student representatives are Piyush Kumar Singh, Ravindra Paswan, Rajesh Prasad, Neetu Kujur, Kartik Soren, Ravindra, Ankit Kumar and Shalu Singh. Students have also demanded that any dialogue with the government be held in the presence of the media. Officials reach protest site Ranchi Sadar SDO Rajat Kumar and ADM Dhananjay Kumar reached Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to hear the grievances of the protesting aspirants. “We came to speak with our younger brothers about how we can assist them in their preparations for the future,” Rajat Kumar said. A protester said there had been a suggestion that a four- or five-member delegation should participate in talks, but students insisted on a transparent process. ‘Assembly gherao’ on Monday Amid the continuing agitation, students announced a “Vidhan Sabha Gherao” on August 10 if their demands are not met. Protester Radhe Kumar said the decision was taken after the government initiated contact with the students. JMM MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato urged the government to immediately open talks, warning that “something untoward will happen” if the situation remains unresolved. Hunger strike continues Activist Sonam Wangchuk rejected reports that student leader Devendra Nath Mahato had ended his hunger strike after speaking with him. A total of six demonstrators are presently on a hunger strike. In a video message on X, Wangchuk said, “He consumed water, not food; I want to clarify this.” He added, “He was fasting without water and without food, which is, in a way, like suicide. So, I only urged him to consume water and salt now and continue his fast.” Mahato began his indefinite hunger strike on August 2 at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. He is now continuing the fast on water and salt. Minister claims 19 arrested Jharkhand minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey said on Thursday that the government was investigating the allegations and that 19 people had been arrested. 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
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