Guwahati: Transgender and queer collectives in Assam have called for the immediate withdrawal of the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, alleging that it undermines constitutional protections and reverses key gains secured by the community.
The demand follows the introduction of the Bill in the Lok Sabha on March 13 by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, seeking to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
In a joint statement, members of the community said the proposed amendments restrict the definition of “transgender persons” and dilute the principle of self-identification upheld by the Supreme Court in its landmark 2014 NALSA judgment. They argued that the Bill conflates intersex and transgender identities and limits legal recognition to select socio-cultural categories such as Hijra, Kinnar, Aravani and Jogti, thereby excluding a wide spectrum of gender-diverse individuals.
The groups said the proposed framework introduces arbitrary classifications and assumptions, including the suggestion that individuals may be coerced into transgender identities, which they described as unfounded and harmful.
They also raised concerns over provisions requiring medical scrutiny and disclosure of personal information, stating that such measures violate the right to privacy as recognised by the Supreme Court in the 2017 Puttaswamy judgment.
According to the statement, proposed changes to penal provisions could create legal ambiguity while reinforcing negative stereotypes by linking transgender identity with criminality. The groups warned that provisions prescribing stringent punishment for acts such as “alluring” or “forcing” individuals into transgender identities are vaguely worded and could be misused, disproportionately affecting an already marginalised community.
The collectives further said the Bill fails to recognise region-specific identities, including those found in the Northeast, and erases a range of gender identities such as trans men, trans women, non-binary and genderqueer persons who may not belong to traditional socio-cultural groups.
They argued that the amendments, if enacted, would impose additional barriers to legal recognition and risk deepening exclusion, drawing parallels with documentation-related challenges faced by marginalised communities in the past.
The statement also criticised the lack of consultation with affected communities and said the proposed changes reflect insufficient research and understanding of gender diversity.
Calling the Bill “discriminatory and unjust”, the groups urged the Centre to withdraw it and engage in meaningful dialogue with transgender communities before introducing any legislative changes.