Pune-based LGBTQIA+ members, activists object to Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill | Pune News
Pune: Members of the LGBTQIA+ community and activists in the city have raised objections to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, introduced in Parliament on March 13, alleging that it undermines existing legal protections.Several community representatives claimed that the Bill violates Supreme Court judgments that recognise the right to self-determination of gender identity. According to them, the proposed law appears to link transgender identity only to “mutilation”, coercion or intersex variations, while focusing on socio-cultural identities such as hijra, kinner, aravani and jogti. They alleged that it fails to acknowledge trans men, non-binary persons and other gender-diverse individuals.Addressing a press conference on Thursday at Patrakar Bhavan, activists said the Bill was drafted without consulting members of the community. They also objected to a provision requiring individuals to undergo scrutiny by a medical board, headed by a chief medical officer, along with the district magistrate, to establish their identity.“I cannot show my private parts to a medical officer to prove my identity. It is a violation of my privacy,” said Rehansh, a trans man present at the press conference.Another community member, Swarnim, raised concerns over the proposed clause criminalising forced conversion to transgender identity, saying it could be misused and lead to harassment. “There are no known cases of such forceful conversions. Introducing such a provision will only add to existing misconceptions about the community,” Swarnim said, referring to past rumours that had led to stigma and targeting of transgender persons.Smriti, another member, said the Bill fails to address the existing challenges faced by the community. “Instead of focusing on our real issues, govt has introduced provisions that push us backwards. We are not seeking amendments, we want the Bill to be withdrawn,” she said.Mansvi, another activist, said that if govt does not take note of objections raised across the country, the community will be left with no option but to stage protests to press for their demands.
