As Bill awaits president’s nod, members of transgender community throng Azad Maidanin Mumbai, questioning the timing and the rush to pass the legislation
Every hug lasted longer than usual, as if everyone knew that solidarity is the need of the hour. PICs/ASHISH RAJE
Over 200 members of the transgender community gathered at Azad Maidan on Wednesday to protest against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026. The Bill strips away transgender persons’ right to self-identify their gender and mandates a district magistrate-appointed medical board to verify an individual’s gender before issuing a transgender ID card.
Members of the community and allies showed up with trans and rainbow flags around their bodies, on their faces, and hoisted high up in the sky. Some eyes were tearful, others were filled with hope. As familiar faces emerged from the crowd, people rushed into each other’s arms — some reuniting with old friends, others finding new ones — but all holding on a little longer, as if aware that solidarity is the need of the hour.
The proposed legislation
Dr Virendra Kumar, Union minister for social justice and empowerment had stated: “It has become impossible to identify the genuine oppressed persons to whom the benefits of the [Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019] are intended to reach.” The Bill has passed both Houses amid strong resistance from the trans community and the Opposition, and awaits the President’s assent.
The protest
Emotions were high as demonstrators raised slogans such as “Bill toh kaccha hai jee” [the Bill is weak] and “Hum apna haq maangte hai, naa kisi se bheek maangte hai” [we ask for our rights, not alms]. Protesters also sang a song with these lyrics: Badtameez Bill, maane na [this insolent Bill, doesn’t listen to us]. Some also got on stage and recited poetry.
Voices of dissent
Rayyan Monkey Sheikh
‘I woke up feeling anxious. So many people are here talking about feeling suicidal. But being here and seeing so many elders of our community, who have fought and won these battles, gives me hope. Even if this becomes an Act, I feel confident now that we can fight’.
SC panel urges Bill’s withdrawal
Parliament passes Transgender Bill, 2026
A committee appointed by the Supreme Court has urged the Union government to withdraw the Transgender Amendment Bill, 2026. The Parliament on Wednesday passed the Bill amending a law on protection and rights of transgender persons that proposes excluding social orientations from the ambit of the statute, with Rajya Sabha giving its nod. The panel argued that its provisions on self-identification infringe upon the ruling in NALSA v Union of India. Additionally, the panel emphasised the need for broader community consultation before making any changes to the 2019 law. The activists termed the passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, a “black day” for the community.
Amy (she/her)
‘Seeing people show up has injected a little bit of energy into an otherwise gloomy hour. No one from the trans community was consulted before formulating this Bill. The urgency with which it is being passed seems alarming. It makes me question whether this is a distraction.
It feels like we’re coming down on anyone who feels uncategorisable. If you can’t put them in a box, it’s easier to just erase them. What is the evidence that real trans people are not getting benefits, and what are these amazing benefits being offered? In 2025-26, the government allocated '76.88 crore for the welfare of trans persons’.
Arya (she/her)
‘I was up all of last night feeling really anxious because the Bill passed in Lok Sabha. It was horrifying to see MPs talk about us with such insensitivity, justifying the cost the Bill will cause to our community. And so, I am here today. It’s lovely to see so many people showing up’
Welfare funds
The last Census, in 2011, counted about 4.88 lakh trans people, meaning each one was allocated around Rs 1575 for their welfare
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