The new bill in India alters transgender rights amid backlash, with critics arguing it excludes many and undermines autonomy.
India's parliament has passed a controversial bill amending the 2019 Transgender Persons Act, which removes the right to self-identify and mandates certification from medical boards and district authorities for transgender recognition.
The government argues that this narrower definition will better target welfare benefits, such as job reservations and healthcare support, to those facing extreme discrimination and help combat exploitation and trafficking.
Criticisms and Protests
Activists and the LGBTQ community have protested the bill, claiming it excludes transgender, non-binary, and gender-fluid individuals by focusing on biological traits rather than self-identification, potentially violating the 2014 Supreme Court ruling.
Transgender rights activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi stated that the bill 'has shattered our identity,' while Grace Banu described it as a 'violation' that seeks recognition without invasion.
A Supreme Court-appointed panel has urged the government to withdraw the bill, citing it as a setback to transgender protections and calling for broader consultations.
Opposition politicians, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, have labeled the bill a 'brazen attack' on rights, with protests occurring across India in recent weeks.
In 2014, India's Supreme Court recognized transgender people as a third gender with self-identification rights, and the 2019 Act aimed to address community vulnerabilities, but many still face discrimination in education, healthcare, and employment.
