Activists Oppose Proposed Changes to Transgender Rights Law, Nationwide Protests Planned
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi.
Pune, 16th March 2026: Activists and members of the transgender community across India are planning nationwide protests against the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026. Community leaders say the proposed changes could weaken several protections currently guaranteed under the law.
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 was enacted to safeguard the rights and dignity of transgender individuals. However, activists argue that the proposed amendments may significantly alter the law’s framework, particularly regarding self-identification and access to gender recognition.
One of the major concerns raised by activists is a proposal requiring individuals to undergo medical verification before receiving official gender certification. Critics say the process undermines the principle of self-identified gender, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in the landmark NALSA v. Union of India ruling. The judgment recognised gender identity as a fundamental right protected under the Constitution.
Ovi Bhandalkar, a social worker and law student, said the proposed amendment has raised serious concerns within the community. As a transgender woman, she said forcing individuals to undergo medical procedures or evaluations contradicts constitutional rights related to equality, dignity and personal liberty.
Under the proposed system, applicants would need to appear before a district medical board headed by the Chief Medical Officer. The board would assess the individual’s gender identity and submit its recommendation to the District Magistrate, who would make the final decision on issuing a transgender identity certificate.
Activists argue that the process replaces self-identification with medical scrutiny, making gender recognition dependent on medical approval rather than personal identity. They say this approach goes against the spirit of the Supreme Court ruling and international standards recommended by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
Shyam Konnur, founder of the Mist LGBTQ Foundation, said the proposed law misunderstands the realities of transgender lives. He said removing self-declared identity could limit recognition primarily to the Hijra community, potentially excluding other transgender identities such as trans men and non-binary individuals.
Konnur also said many transgender people already face rejection from families and communities, often forcing them to seek shelter and livelihood within transgender networks. According to him, the amendment risks further marginalising people who are already vulnerable.
The bill also introduces a stricter definition of “transgender person,” emphasising traditional socio-cultural communities such as hijra, kinnars, aravani and jogta. Critics argue that this definition may fail to include individuals whose gender identity does not fit into these categories.
Activists say many transgender individuals live independently and may not belong to these traditional groups. Some identify as non-binary or gender-fluid, and they fear the new definition could exclude them from legal recognition and protection.
Community leaders across India say they will continue raising their voices against the proposed amendments and are calling for policies that respect self-identification, dignity and equal rights for all transgender persons.
