Transgender groups protest 2026 Amendment Bill, demand withdrawal

Transgender and queer collectives on Saturday opposed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 , demanding its immediate withdrawal and calling it discriminatory.

The Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 13 by Virendra Kumar , seeks to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 . Activists allege that it introduces a restrictive definition of transgender persons , limiting recognition to select socio-cultural identities such as Hijra , Kinnar , Aravani , and Jogti , while excluding trans men, trans women, non-binary, and other gender-diverse individuals.

A key concern is the removal of the right to self-identification , replacing it with provisions that may require medical scrutiny and disclosure of sensitive personal information . The Bill also proposes changes to Section 18, introducing stricter punishments, including up to five years’ imprisonment for “alluring” or “forcing” someone to become transgender an allegation activists say lacks credible evidence.

Community representatives argue that these provisions violate the Supreme Court’s ruling in NALSA v. Union of India, which recognised self-identification as a fundamental right. They also cite concerns over privacy violations under K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India, which affirmed bodily autonomy and decisional freedom.

Critics say the Bill’s language is vague and open to misuse , reinforcing harmful stereotypes by linking transgender identity with coercion and criminality. They also highlight the exclusion of region-specific identities, particularly from the Northeast, which were at least partially accommodated under the 2019 Act.

Calling the amendments regressive, community members warned that the Bill could increase discrimination, discourage open expression of identity, and further marginalise transgender persons, urging the government to withdraw it and hold wider consultations.