Delhi expands free bus travel scheme to transgender community amid protests over rights bill

The Delhi Government has approved the inclusion of transgender passengers in its free bus travel scheme , even as protests erupted in the national capital against a proposed amendment to transgender rights law.

The decision to extend the transport benefit was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Officials said the move aims to promote inclusivity and ensure equal access to public services.

Under the revised scheme, transgender persons, along with women, will be eligible for free travel in Delhi government buses. Beneficiaries must obtain the ‘Saheli Pink’ smart card, linked to Aadhaar and issued through authorised centres across the city. Cardholders will also be entitled to a 10 per cent discount on services such as the Delhi Metro and Rapid Rail.

The initiative builds on the capital’s existing free travel policy for women and is supported by the rollout of the Pink National Common Mobility (PNCM) card, launched earlier this month by President Droupadi Murmu . More than one lakh Saheli Pink cards have already been issued. Authorities said the scheme will follow the same implementation model as the current system for women, with pink ticket-based travel continuing for three months during the transition period.

Officials maintained that the expansion is intended to remove financial barriers, enhance safety, and promote dignity and equal participation in urban mobility for transgender individuals.

Meanwhile, members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest at Jantar Mantar opposing the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, demanding its immediate withdrawal.

Protesters alleged that the amendment is regressive and could undermine legal safeguards for gender-diverse persons. They argued that the Bill risks diluting principles laid down in the landmark NALSA vs Union of India ruling, which recognised the right to self-identification of gender as a fundamental right.

A key concern raised by activists is the proposed shift in authority to determine gender identity from individuals to a government-appointed medical board. They warned that such a move could subject transgender persons to intrusive medical scrutiny and weaken the principle of self-identification.

The protesters also expressed apprehension that the amendment may narrow the legal definition of a “transgender person”, potentially excluding non-binary, genderqueer individuals and others outside specific socio-cultural categories.

An SFI delegation submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, calling for withdrawal of the Bill, retention of the definition under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and wider consultations with stakeholders, including the transgender community and legal experts.

The amendment Bill was introduced in Parliament by Union Minister Virendra Kumar, who stated that clearer definitions are needed to ensure effective identification and delivery of benefits under the law.

The developments highlight a dual policy trajectory in the capital expanding welfare access on one hand, while triggering debate over legal rights and protections on the other.