Members of the LGBTQIA+ community hold placards during a protest demanding withdrawal of the Transgender Amendment Act, 2026 in Mumbai on March 25, 2026. | Photo credit: Reuters
The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (March 25, 2026) passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, a day after the Lok Sabha passed the legislation. The opposition demanded that the bill be sent to a select committee of the House for further consideration, as it contains provisions that would impact on the dignity of persons of the third gender.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, responding to opposition allegations against the bill, said it was an effort to bring all segments of society together. He said the bill would only provide protection to those facing discrimination due to biological issues, adding that transgender people would continue to receive legal recognition and protection.
“The Narendra Modi government is determined to protect all those people who are suffering due to biological reasons,” he said, adding that transgender welfare boards have been set up in more than 30 states. “This bill will bring administrative clarity and protect the rights of transgender people,” he said, adding, “This bill is not just a legal reform, but a path to justice for those who have long faced social exclusion and discrimination because of their identity.”
Rights taken away by: DMK
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva argued that the amendments take away the right to self-identification and force transgender people to present themselves before a medical board for gender identification. “I am voting for people who cannot come to Parliament,” Mr Siva said, demanding that the bill be sent to a select committee for consultation with all stakeholders, legal experts, civil society and the transgender community.
Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale said only 32,000 transgender persons out of their five lakh population (as per 2011 census) have so far received certificates and identity cards under the existing law. “First of all, they’re afraid to go out,” he said. Mr. Gokhale said 31% of transgender people in India had attempted suicide and of these, 50% were under 20 years of age. “They are trying to commit suicide because of the discrimination they face every day,” the MP said, adding that as if social discrimination was not enough, now the government is “going to discriminate against them”.
Mr. Gokhale further claimed that policies like this amendment bill are being brought because “the government expects the US to pass laws”, adding that the government in India wants “to be unawakened like US President Donald Trump”.
Exclusionary measures: CPI(M)
CPI(M) MP John Brittas said the new legislation was an exclusionary restrictive measure. “The Supreme Court-appointed committee recently told the government not to proceed with this legislation. What happened to that? Why is the government not dealing with the Supreme Court-appointed committee’s request?” Mr. Brittas asked.
Published – 25 March 2026 18:56 IST
