March 31, 2026

Married Couples In Border Dists Rush To Get Seal Photo/ANI KOLKATA: Minority-dominated districts in Bengal bordering Bangladesh are now witnessing an unusual trend – married Muslim couples, who read their vows under Islamic law, are rushing to register their marriages under Section 16 of Special Marriage Act, 1954. According to data accessed by TOI, 1,130 Muslim couples applied to register marriages in Bengal between Nov 2024 and Oct 2025. More than half these applications (609) were made between July and Oct, when Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was underway in neighbouring Bihar. Bengal govt officials linked the spike over the four-month period to increasing anxiety over SIR.Many of these Muslim couples wanted to acquire an additional citizenship document in view of the impending SIR rollout in Bengal, officials at the Bengal Marriage Registrar General office said.Most of these applications were received from North Dinajpur (199) and Malda (197), which share their borders with Bihar, followed by Murshidabad (185) and Cooch Behar (97). All four districts also share their borders with Bangladesh. Kolkata was at the lower end of the data sheet with only 24 such applications. Jhargram (1) and Kalimpong (2) recorded the least number of such applications.According to sources, Muslim marriages in rural Bengal are usually conducted under The Bengal Muhammadan Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1876. For this, the state gives licences to Muhammadan Marriage and Divorce Registrars (MMRs), who are mostly kazis. “Marriage and divorce certificates issued by the kazis are legally valid, but lack uniformity, with MMRs following their personal formats. The address verification process is also vague. Due to this, multiple govt and private bodies do not accept these kazi-issued certificates as valid marriage documents. The certificates that are issued under Special Marriage Act, not only weed out such problems but are the most acceptable marriage document anywhere in India. These are also considered as citizenship proof in many cases,” an officer said.Another senior official pointed out that marriage and divorce registrations for Muslims were so far done under the 1876 Act because the process was simpler, allowing individuals to quickly marry, divorce and remarry. “While polygamy is banned, because this Act vests a lot of power in the kazis, it can be manipulated to end a marriage quickly and allow remarriage, bypassing the rigours of legal scrutiny or court cases. The Special Marriage Act, however, is more stringent and allows only one marriage at a time,” the official explained.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Unemployability’: Is India Sitting On Ticking Time Bomb Of Unemployment? Expert’s Big Reveal’Mungerilal Ke Sapne’: BJP’s Sunil Pintu Takes Dig At RJD-Cong, Exudes Confidence Of Sitamarhi WinPakistan Fires Into Afghanistan, Breaks Ceasefire Amid Turkey Peace Talks: Taliban Confirms’RJD Put Katta To Congress’ Head’: PM Modi Slams Mahagathbandhan In Bihar RallyIndia Shocked As UAE Frees Mahadev Scam Accused, Cites No Extradition Request Amid Paper TrailBihar Deputy CM Vijay Sinha Accuses RJD MLC Of Drunken Chaos, Faces Off Amid Voting In LakhisaraiDelhi’s Fake ‘Professor’ and Team Pulled Off a ₹50 Crore Money Heist Inspired by Netflix Crime Drama’Can’t Think Of Another Trade Talk…’: Piyush Goyal, Todd McClay Comment On India–New Zealand FTAINS Ikshak Commissioned With 80% Indigenous Tech, New Hydrographic Survey Vessel Joins Indian NavyDonald Trump’s Trade Weapon Tested: US Supreme Court Weighs Limits of Emergency Powers, Authority123PhotostoriesWhen love in Bollywood movies defied wealth and social divideDon’t make this mistake while charging your phone at night, it could explode or harm your healthSamantha Ruth Prabhu’s time-turner necklace and purple gown are the talk of Abu DhabiFrom undergoing surgery to remove 22% of her liver with an 11-centimeter tumor to continuing a two-year targeted therapy; Dipika Kakar talks about her liver cancer treatmentCortisol cocktail: What happens when you take this viral drink everyday for a month5 breathtaking winter migrants in India every bird lover must seeWhy Sadhguru recommends consuming Carrot Salad with Peanuts and DatesWhy does this Indian temple open only for 12 days in a yearHis/ her story: “Whenever things are fine between my husband and me, my mother-in-law interferes and causes fights… What should I do?”‘Kaun?’, ‘Talvar’ to ‘Gone Girl’: 7 must-watch thrillers that will keep you guessing till the very end123Hot PicksStock market holidayBank HolidayBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingMarshawn Kneeland Cause of DeathJoe AlwynAshton JeantyNHL Trade RumorsTaylor SwiftWho is CatalinaMrBeastAnaheim DucksPatrick SurtainJalen Green

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Married Couples In Border Dists Rush To Get Seal Photo/ANI KOLKATA: Minority-dominated districts in Bengal bordering Bangladesh are now witnessing an unusual trend – married Muslim couples, who read their vows under Islamic law, are rushing to register their marriages under Section 16 of Special Marriage Act, 1954. According to data accessed by TOI, 1,130 Muslim couples applied to register marriages in Bengal between Nov 2024 and Oct 2025. More than half these applications (609) were made between July and Oct, when Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was underway in neighbouring Bihar. Bengal govt officials linked the spike over the four-month period to increasing anxiety over SIR.Many of these Muslim couples wanted to acquire an additional citizenship document in view of the impending SIR rollout in Bengal, officials at the Bengal Marriage Registrar General office said.Most of these applications were received from North Dinajpur (199) and Malda (197), which share their borders with Bihar, followed by Murshidabad (185) and Cooch Behar (97). All four districts also share their borders with Bangladesh. Kolkata was at the lower end of the data sheet with only 24 such applications. Jhargram (1) and Kalimpong (2) recorded the least number of such applications.According to sources, Muslim marriages in rural Bengal are usually conducted under The Bengal Muhammadan Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1876. For this, the state gives licences to Muhammadan Marriage and Divorce Registrars (MMRs), who are mostly kazis. “Marriage and divorce certificates issued by the kazis are legally valid, but lack uniformity, with MMRs following their personal formats. The address verification process is also vague. Due to this, multiple govt and private bodies do not accept these kazi-issued certificates as valid marriage documents. The certificates that are issued under Special Marriage Act, not only weed out such problems but are the most acceptable marriage document anywhere in India. These are also considered as citizenship proof in many cases,” an officer said.Another senior official pointed out that marriage and divorce registrations for Muslims were so far done under the 1876 Act because the process was simpler, allowing individuals to quickly marry, divorce and remarry. “While polygamy is banned, because this Act vests a lot of power in the kazis, it can be manipulated to end a marriage quickly and allow remarriage, bypassing the rigours of legal scrutiny or court cases. The Special Marriage Act, however, is more stringent and allows only one marriage at a time,” the official explained.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Unemployability’: Is India Sitting On Ticking Time Bomb Of Unemployment? Expert’s Big Reveal’Mungerilal Ke Sapne’: BJP’s Sunil Pintu Takes Dig At RJD-Cong, Exudes Confidence Of Sitamarhi WinPakistan Fires Into Afghanistan, Breaks Ceasefire Amid Turkey Peace Talks: Taliban Confirms’RJD Put Katta To Congress’ Head’: PM Modi Slams Mahagathbandhan In Bihar RallyIndia Shocked As UAE Frees Mahadev Scam Accused, Cites No Extradition Request Amid Paper TrailBihar Deputy CM Vijay Sinha Accuses RJD MLC Of Drunken Chaos, Faces Off Amid Voting In LakhisaraiDelhi’s Fake ‘Professor’ and Team Pulled Off a ₹50 Crore Money Heist Inspired by Netflix Crime Drama’Can’t Think Of Another Trade Talk…’: Piyush Goyal, Todd McClay Comment On India–New Zealand FTAINS Ikshak Commissioned With 80% Indigenous Tech, New Hydrographic Survey Vessel Joins Indian NavyDonald Trump’s Trade Weapon Tested: US Supreme Court Weighs Limits of Emergency Powers, Authority123PhotostoriesWhen love in Bollywood movies defied wealth and social divideDon’t make this mistake while charging your phone at night, it could explode or harm your healthSamantha Ruth Prabhu’s time-turner necklace and purple gown are the talk of Abu DhabiFrom undergoing surgery to remove 22% of her liver with an 11-centimeter tumor to continuing a two-year targeted therapy; Dipika Kakar talks about her liver cancer treatmentCortisol cocktail: What happens when you take this viral drink everyday for a month5 breathtaking winter migrants in India every bird lover must seeWhy Sadhguru recommends consuming Carrot Salad with Peanuts and DatesWhy does this Indian temple open only for 12 days in a yearHis/ her story: “Whenever things are fine between my husband and me, my mother-in-law interferes and causes fights… What should I do?”‘Kaun?’, ‘Talvar’ to ‘Gone Girl’: 7 must-watch thrillers that will keep you guessing till the very end123Hot PicksStock market holidayBank HolidayBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingMarshawn Kneeland Cause of DeathJoe AlwynAshton JeantyNHL Trade RumorsTaylor SwiftWho is CatalinaMrBeastAnaheim DucksPatrick SurtainJalen Green


SIR sets Bengal's Muslim marriage register ringing

KOLKATA: Minority-dominated districts in Bengal bordering Bangladesh are now witnessing an unusual trend – married Muslim couples, who read their vows under Islamic law, are rushing to register their marriages under Section 16 of Special Marriage Act, 1954. According to data accessed by TOI, 1,130 Muslim couples applied to register marriages in Bengal between Nov 2024 and Oct 2025. More than half these applications (609) were made between July and Oct, when Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was underway in neighbouring Bihar. Bengal govt officials linked the spike over the four-month period to increasing anxiety over SIR.Many of these Muslim couples wanted to acquire an additional citizenship document in view of the impending SIR rollout in Bengal, officials at the Bengal Marriage Registrar General office said.Most of these applications were received from North Dinajpur (199) and Malda (197), which share their borders with Bihar, followed by Murshidabad (185) and Cooch Behar (97). All four districts also share their borders with Bangladesh. Kolkata was at the lower end of the data sheet with only 24 such applications. Jhargram (1) and Kalimpong (2) recorded the least number of such applications.According to sources, Muslim marriages in rural Bengal are usually conducted under The Bengal Muhammadan Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1876. For this, the state gives licences to Muhammadan Marriage and Divorce Registrars (MMRs), who are mostly kazis. “Marriage and divorce certificates issued by the kazis are legally valid, but lack uniformity, with MMRs following their personal formats. The address verification process is also vague. Due to this, multiple govt and private bodies do not accept these kazi-issued certificates as valid marriage documents. The certificates that are issued under Special Marriage Act, not only weed out such problems but are the most acceptable marriage document anywhere in India. These are also considered as citizenship proof in many cases,” an officer said.Another senior official pointed out that marriage and divorce registrations for Muslims were so far done under the 1876 Act because the process was simpler, allowing individuals to quickly marry, divorce and remarry. “While polygamy is banned, because this Act vests a lot of power in the kazis, it can be manipulated to end a marriage quickly and allow remarriage, bypassing the rigours of legal scrutiny or court cases. The Special Marriage Act, however, is more stringent and allows only one marriage at a time,” the official explained.





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‘Cause shade never made anybody less gay’ – Taylor Swift, You Need to Calm DownLast week, two contrasting developments related to the LGBTQ+ community made global headlines. One, in the German city of Munich, Dominik Krause was elected mayor, the first openly gay man to hold a constitutional office in a European country.Second, at the same time Krause was celebrating his victory with his partner and the public, in India, Parliament passed a legislation – The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment bill, 2026 – striking away the statute of self-determination.That translates to taking away the individual’s right to self identification, a Constitutional guarantee, and liberty over one’s own body. On Monday, March 30, President Droupadi Murmu assented to the bill, making the proposed legislation the law and bringing it into effect. Ironically, the ‘rights’ of the very community it claims to ‘protect’ have since risen in protest, taking to the streets to vociferously and legally push back against the proposed propositions challenging it. Not just that, the passage of the controversial bill itself created a massive uproar in both Houses of Parliament.In Lok Sabha, it was taken up last Tuesday, stopping the discussion on the Finance bill midway with Union Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju insisting the bill needed to be passed the very day. And it did, with a voice vote amidst the din in the House, opposition walking out and an exhaustive two-minute-long reply by the concerned minister for social justice and empowerment Virendra Kumar.The story was no different the next day in the Upper House, the proposed legislation passed while the opposition demanded that it be sent to the select committee. Speaking on bill, NCP(SP) MP Fauzia Khan said “Viksit Bharat slogan shouldn’t be about ‘selective’ Bharat.” Replying to which Kumar argued, every person’s emancipation and empowerment, asserting that the amendment will ensure that transgender persons continue to get legal recognition and protection. But, with a caveat, that a ‘magistrate’ and a ‘medical board’ would somehow determine if you are a trans person and qualify for rights, and that they would be protected.Anish Gwande, LGBTQ+ rights activist and national spokesperson of NCP(SP), also first openly gay person to hold such office for a major political party in India, speaking to TOI described the bill as “illegal, unconstitutional and illogical” adding “it is unfortunate that the bill was passed by both houses of Parliament without any substantive discussion within 24 hours.” He went on to question the timing of the bill, “It is bizarre to see governments focus on amendments to the trans bill, instead of war in West Asia, on LPG crisis in the country, on the depreciating Rupee.” The gender questionFor many the world exists in two colours – ‘black and white’, but it still leaves a population embracing the ‘greys’. The greys believe in facets of being agathokakological – the in-between areas, complexity, nuance, mixed feelings, or situations that aren’t purely one thing. A concept alien to the binaries. Similarly, what and how an individual feels about their ‘own’ body, nobody else can understand or tell but that particular individual. To understand this, it becomes essential to distinguish between sex and gender, terms often used interchangeably but conceptually distinct. Biological sex typically refers to physical attributes such as chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive anatomy, usually categorised as male or female. Gender, however, is understood in scholarly literature as a social and psychological construct that encompasses identity, roles, expressions, and lived experience. As philosopher Judith Butler argues, gender is not something one simply is, but something one does – a continuous process shaped by social norms and personal agency.Similarly, the World Health Organization defines gender as the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are socially constructed, including norms, behaviours, and roles associated with being a particular gender. This understanding moves beyond rigid binaries and acknowledges that gender exists along a spectrum. The American Psychological Association further recognises gender identity as a deeply felt, inherent sense of being male, female, a blend of both, or neither, an internal experience that may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth.In this context, the idea of the ‘greys’ is not merely poetic but empirically grounded. Contemporary gender studies consistently affirm that human identity resists strict categorisation. What appears as ambiguity to the binary lens is, in fact, a legitimate and lived reality for many.Thus, gender is not a fixed endpoint but an evolving narrative, one that is deeply personal, socially mediated, and often negotiated within structures that struggle to accommodate its fluidity.The Transgender persons (protection of rights) amendments Act 2026What the Act entailsThe legislation introduces changes across four key areas:Definition of transgender personsProcess of identity certificationOffences and penaltiesComposition and functioning of institutional bodiesThe government’s Statement of Objects and Reasons argues that the earlier definition was “vague” and made it difficult to identify “genuine oppressed persons.” It further clarifies that protections should not extend to “self-perceived identity” or what it terms “acquirable characteristics.” This framing signals a shift in legislative intent, from recognising identity as self-determined to one that is externally verified.Key changes in the provisionsA narrower definitionThe Act replaces the broader 2019 definition with a more restrictive one. It identifies transgender persons under two categories:Those belonging to specific socio-cultural groups, such as kinner, hijra, aravani and jogta, or individuals with congenital variations in sexual characteristics, including differences in chromosomes, genitalia, hormones or gonadal development.It also includes a category of persons who have allegedly been compelled, “by force, allurement, inducement, deceit or undue influence, either with or without consent”, to assume or present a transgender identity, reeking of the underlying premise of the Act.Notably, it excludes persons with “self-perceived gender identity” and those with different sexual orientations. As a result, trans men, trans women and genderqueer individuals who do not fall within these listed categories are effectively excluded. The inclusion of the term “eunuch”, a classification historically rooted in the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, where it was defined in medicalised and derogatory terms, marks a notable shift in a contemporary rights framework.The amendment also removes a distinct recognition of intersex persons, subsuming them under a clinical category termed “congenital variation,” thereby reinforcing a medicalised lens.The replacement of the term “intersex” with “congenital variation” reflects a shift towards a medicalised framework that frames such identities as conditions requiring diagnosis or correction. This approach sits in contradiction with existing administrative systems, such as birth registration, which continue to operate within a strict male–female binary and do not accommodate intersex identities.Sneha, a Delhi-based doctor, says, “The congenital variations basically refer to conditions which can be fixed with medical treatments, but pulling that in to refer to people of different gender makes no sense, how would you fix it and beyond that, what if someone just isn’t willing to get it changed?”It also raises concerns around autonomy and privacy, as it introduces the possibility of mandatory medical scrutiny for identity recognition. In doing so, the framework risks reducing inherently personal and lived experiences of identity to clinical evaluation, rather than recognising them as legitimate expressions of self. The Act’s treatment of socio-cultural identities has also drawn criticism for being selective and exclusionary. While it recognises a limited set of traditionally acknowledged identities, several region-specific and culturally rooted identities, particularly from the northeast and parts of south India, find no mention, like the Nupa Maanba or Nupi Maanbi, which are traditional socio-cultural identities existing in Manipur. This omission raises concerns about the erasure of diverse lived realities that fall outside the listed categories. Questions have also been raised over the lack of consultation with statutory advisory bodies meant to represent transgender persons, further deepening apprehensions that the law does not adequately reflect the diversity within the community it seeks to regulate.Medical board for certificationUnder the 2019 law, individuals could apply for identity certificates based on self-declaration. The amendment introduces a medical board, led by a Chief Medical Officer, whose recommendation becomes central to the process. The district magistrate will be the final person to decide on the recommendation and may also seek further medical opinions.Mandatory reporting by hospitalsHospitals performing gender-affirming surgeries must now report details of such procedures to authorities, including district magistrates and medical boards.Stricter penaltiesThe Act introduces stringent punishments for offences such as coercing individuals into transgender identity, with penalties ranging up to life imprisonment depending on the nature of the crime and the age of the victim.Gwande, said it is plainly absurd that the law will introduce something “which would only discourage the people who work for and with the community, by criminalizing it in a manner as such when there is no clarity as to what would amount as allurement, or coercing.” What are the major departures from the 2019 law?At the heart of the 2019 Act was the principle that gender identity is self-perceived. It explicitly recognised a wide spectrum, including trans men, trans women, non-binary and genderqueer persons, and did not mandate medical intervention.The 2026 amendment removes this foundation.By eliminating the provision for self-perceived identity, the law narrows eligibility and excludes large sections of the transgender community. It also introduces a retrospective clause stating that such identities “shall not include, nor shall ever have been so included,” raising concerns about the status of thousands already recognised under the previous law. Legal experts note that this shift moves away from the Supreme Court’s 2014 judgment in National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) vs Union of India, which held that self-determination of gender is a fundamental right under Article 21.Why has the Act faced fierce opposition?The opposition from the transgender community has been swift and widespread.“From the start to the end this bill is completely arbitrary, nonsense, and it violates every kind of human right that is possible on the planet,” said Baadal, a trans activist. At the core of the protests is the removal of self-identification. Activists describe the introduction of medical boards as “medical gatekeeping,” arguing it places identity under institutional scrutiny.Mumbai Queer Pride, in a statement, said the law risks erasing transgender persons “under the guise of medical scrutiny.” Another major concern is the lack of consultation. Members of the National Council for Transgender Persons reportedly said they were not consulted before the bill was introduced.Gwande said they have asked for an unconditional apology from the officials of ministry of social justice and empowerment for “refusing to meet the representatives of the community and also insulting them.”Two members of the National Council of Transgender Persons (NCTP), Kalki Subramanium and Rituparna Neog, stepped down from their positions after the Rajya Sabha approved the controversial bill. Describing the bill as “regressive” and “existential,” they stated they could not continue being part of a council that the government chose not to consult.In her resignation letter addressed to minister Virendra Kumar, Subramanium, who represented the southern states on the council, said that “the recent introduction and passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment bill” has “created an untenable position” for her.She further wrote, “As a statutory representative, my primary mandate is to advise the Government on legislation affecting our lives. The decision to move this bill forward without any formal consultation with myself or other community representatives of the NCTP undermines the very purpose for which this Council was established.”Highlighting her recent engagements, she added, “I have spent the last several weeks in constant dialogue with the transgender and intersex communities across the Southern Indian states and throughout the nation. The consensus is absolute: this bill is seen as a step backward for our fundamental rights to self identification and dignity.”Legal tenabilityLegal experts argue that the Act may face constitutional challenges.The NALSA judgment had explicitly rejected biological tests for determining gender and affirmed self-identification as a constitutional right.It also drew from international frameworks such as the Yogyakarta Principles, which state that no one should be forced to undergo medical procedures for legal recognition of gender identity.Karan Singh, a lawyer, talking about the legal standing of Act said, “on face of it the legislation itself seems to fall flat on multiple legal grounds, it stands in straight contradiction/violation of the NALSA judgement, the privacy of people choosing to undergo procedures is at stake, again violative of right to privacy, dignity under Article 19, and also the doctor-patient confidentiality is seemingly being violated as well.” The introduction of mandatory medical certification and reporting requirements raises concerns around privacy as well. In KS Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017), the Supreme Court recognised informational privacy as a fundamental right.Critics argue the Act does not clearly establish a legitimate state interest for collecting sensitive medical data, nor does it define safeguards.A Supreme Court-constituted advisory committee on transgender rights had urged the Centre to withdraw the bill, immediately after it was passed by Parliament, citing concerns that key provisions violate established legal principles. The panel, headed by former Delhi High Court judge Justice Asha Menon, wrote to Minister Virendra Kumar on last Wednesday.In its resolution, the committee flagged that the proposal to deny the right to self-identification of gender runs contrary to the Supreme Court’s 2014 NALSA v Union of India judgment, which recognised this right without requiring medical intervention. The panel cautioned that replacing self-identification with a state-controlled certification process, mandating assessment by a medical board, marks a significant departure from the court’s ruling.The committee was set up by the Supreme Court in October 2025 while hearing a case involving the dismissal of a transgender woman from teaching jobs in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. It was tasked with identifying gaps in the implementation of the Transgender Persons Act, 2019, and recommending measures to ensure equal participation and “reasonable accommodation” for transgender persons. Impact on privacy, acceptance, individualityBeyond legality, the Act’s implications extend to everyday life.Identity certificates are gateways to welfare schemes, healthcare, and employment opportunities. By making certification more complex, activists say the law may limit access to these benefits.The requirement for hospitals to share details of gender-affirming procedures has raised concerns about surveillance and stigma.“There is no medical test to prove anyone’s gender,” said Sneha. “But we are asked to prove it.”Activists also warn of a “chilling effect”, where social workers, NGOs, and even families may hesitate to support transgender individuals due to fear of legal consequences.While speaking on bill in Rajya Sabha Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury asked a pertinent question, pointing to treasury benches she said, “do you know what LGBTQ+ is? Can even four people sitting in the house tell me the meaning, I’ll accept the amendment.”She further added, “When there isn’t enough awareness in the Parliament, how is it gonna be on the streets and society?”The road aheadWhile the government maintains that the amendments strengthen protections, the response from the community suggests otherwise.“If it becomes law, we will challenge it,” Gwande said. He had also expressed hope that the President would not give her assent to the bill, after multiple rights organizations had written to her asking to return the bill to Parliament for reconsideration. But, the bill got Presidential assent on Monday. For many, the issue goes beyond a single piece of legislation. It touches upon the fundamental question of autonomy.As the Supreme Court observed in NALSA, “the moral failure lies in the society’s unwillingness to contain or embrace different gender identities.”The current conditions suggest that the question remains unresolved, and is now being tested in law.About the AuthorYash SonkarWrites on politics, global affairs, and geopolitics for The Times of India. Tracks power and diplomacy as it moves, across capitals, corridors and negotiating tables, and what it changes along the way beyond rhetoric. 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‘Cause shade never made anybody less gay’ – Taylor Swift, You Need to Calm DownLast week, two contrasting developments related to the LGBTQ+ community made global headlines. One, in the German city of Munich, Dominik Krause was elected mayor, the first openly gay man to hold a constitutional office in a European country.Second, at the same time Krause was celebrating his victory with his partner and the public, in India, Parliament passed a legislation – The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment bill, 2026 – striking away the statute of self-determination.That translates to taking away the individual’s right to self identification, a Constitutional guarantee, and liberty over one’s own body. On Monday, March 30, President Droupadi Murmu assented to the bill, making the proposed legislation the law and bringing it into effect. Ironically, the ‘rights’ of the very community it claims to ‘protect’ have since risen in protest, taking to the streets to vociferously and legally push back against the proposed propositions challenging it. Not just that, the passage of the controversial bill itself created a massive uproar in both Houses of Parliament.In Lok Sabha, it was taken up last Tuesday, stopping the discussion on the Finance bill midway with Union Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju insisting the bill needed to be passed the very day. And it did, with a voice vote amidst the din in the House, opposition walking out and an exhaustive two-minute-long reply by the concerned minister for social justice and empowerment Virendra Kumar.The story was no different the next day in the Upper House, the proposed legislation passed while the opposition demanded that it be sent to the select committee. Speaking on bill, NCP(SP) MP Fauzia Khan said “Viksit Bharat slogan shouldn’t be about ‘selective’ Bharat.” Replying to which Kumar argued, every person’s emancipation and empowerment, asserting that the amendment will ensure that transgender persons continue to get legal recognition and protection. But, with a caveat, that a ‘magistrate’ and a ‘medical board’ would somehow determine if you are a trans person and qualify for rights, and that they would be protected.Anish Gwande, LGBTQ+ rights activist and national spokesperson of NCP(SP), also first openly gay person to hold such office for a major political party in India, speaking to TOI described the bill as “illegal, unconstitutional and illogical” adding “it is unfortunate that the bill was passed by both houses of Parliament without any substantive discussion within 24 hours.” He went on to question the timing of the bill, “It is bizarre to see governments focus on amendments to the trans bill, instead of war in West Asia, on LPG crisis in the country, on the depreciating Rupee.” The gender questionFor many the world exists in two colours – ‘black and white’, but it still leaves a population embracing the ‘greys’. The greys believe in facets of being agathokakological – the in-between areas, complexity, nuance, mixed feelings, or situations that aren’t purely one thing. A concept alien to the binaries. Similarly, what and how an individual feels about their ‘own’ body, nobody else can understand or tell but that particular individual. To understand this, it becomes essential to distinguish between sex and gender, terms often used interchangeably but conceptually distinct. Biological sex typically refers to physical attributes such as chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive anatomy, usually categorised as male or female. Gender, however, is understood in scholarly literature as a social and psychological construct that encompasses identity, roles, expressions, and lived experience. As philosopher Judith Butler argues, gender is not something one simply is, but something one does – a continuous process shaped by social norms and personal agency.Similarly, the World Health Organization defines gender as the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are socially constructed, including norms, behaviours, and roles associated with being a particular gender. This understanding moves beyond rigid binaries and acknowledges that gender exists along a spectrum. The American Psychological Association further recognises gender identity as a deeply felt, inherent sense of being male, female, a blend of both, or neither, an internal experience that may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth.In this context, the idea of the ‘greys’ is not merely poetic but empirically grounded. Contemporary gender studies consistently affirm that human identity resists strict categorisation. What appears as ambiguity to the binary lens is, in fact, a legitimate and lived reality for many.Thus, gender is not a fixed endpoint but an evolving narrative, one that is deeply personal, socially mediated, and often negotiated within structures that struggle to accommodate its fluidity.The Transgender persons (protection of rights) amendments Act 2026What the Act entailsThe legislation introduces changes across four key areas:Definition of transgender personsProcess of identity certificationOffences and penaltiesComposition and functioning of institutional bodiesThe government’s Statement of Objects and Reasons argues that the earlier definition was “vague” and made it difficult to identify “genuine oppressed persons.” It further clarifies that protections should not extend to “self-perceived identity” or what it terms “acquirable characteristics.” This framing signals a shift in legislative intent, from recognising identity as self-determined to one that is externally verified.Key changes in the provisionsA narrower definitionThe Act replaces the broader 2019 definition with a more restrictive one. It identifies transgender persons under two categories:Those belonging to specific socio-cultural groups, such as kinner, hijra, aravani and jogta, or individuals with congenital variations in sexual characteristics, including differences in chromosomes, genitalia, hormones or gonadal development.It also includes a category of persons who have allegedly been compelled, “by force, allurement, inducement, deceit or undue influence, either with or without consent”, to assume or present a transgender identity, reeking of the underlying premise of the Act.Notably, it excludes persons with “self-perceived gender identity” and those with different sexual orientations. As a result, trans men, trans women and genderqueer individuals who do not fall within these listed categories are effectively excluded. The inclusion of the term “eunuch”, a classification historically rooted in the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, where it was defined in medicalised and derogatory terms, marks a notable shift in a contemporary rights framework.The amendment also removes a distinct recognition of intersex persons, subsuming them under a clinical category termed “congenital variation,” thereby reinforcing a medicalised lens.The replacement of the term “intersex” with “congenital variation” reflects a shift towards a medicalised framework that frames such identities as conditions requiring diagnosis or correction. This approach sits in contradiction with existing administrative systems, such as birth registration, which continue to operate within a strict male–female binary and do not accommodate intersex identities.Sneha, a Delhi-based doctor, says, “The congenital variations basically refer to conditions which can be fixed with medical treatments, but pulling that in to refer to people of different gender makes no sense, how would you fix it and beyond that, what if someone just isn’t willing to get it changed?”It also raises concerns around autonomy and privacy, as it introduces the possibility of mandatory medical scrutiny for identity recognition. In doing so, the framework risks reducing inherently personal and lived experiences of identity to clinical evaluation, rather than recognising them as legitimate expressions of self. The Act’s treatment of socio-cultural identities has also drawn criticism for being selective and exclusionary. While it recognises a limited set of traditionally acknowledged identities, several region-specific and culturally rooted identities, particularly from the northeast and parts of south India, find no mention, like the Nupa Maanba or Nupi Maanbi, which are traditional socio-cultural identities existing in Manipur. This omission raises concerns about the erasure of diverse lived realities that fall outside the listed categories. Questions have also been raised over the lack of consultation with statutory advisory bodies meant to represent transgender persons, further deepening apprehensions that the law does not adequately reflect the diversity within the community it seeks to regulate.Medical board for certificationUnder the 2019 law, individuals could apply for identity certificates based on self-declaration. The amendment introduces a medical board, led by a Chief Medical Officer, whose recommendation becomes central to the process. The district magistrate will be the final person to decide on the recommendation and may also seek further medical opinions.Mandatory reporting by hospitalsHospitals performing gender-affirming surgeries must now report details of such procedures to authorities, including district magistrates and medical boards.Stricter penaltiesThe Act introduces stringent punishments for offences such as coercing individuals into transgender identity, with penalties ranging up to life imprisonment depending on the nature of the crime and the age of the victim.Gwande, said it is plainly absurd that the law will introduce something “which would only discourage the people who work for and with the community, by criminalizing it in a manner as such when there is no clarity as to what would amount as allurement, or coercing.” What are the major departures from the 2019 law?At the heart of the 2019 Act was the principle that gender identity is self-perceived. It explicitly recognised a wide spectrum, including trans men, trans women, non-binary and genderqueer persons, and did not mandate medical intervention.The 2026 amendment removes this foundation.By eliminating the provision for self-perceived identity, the law narrows eligibility and excludes large sections of the transgender community. It also introduces a retrospective clause stating that such identities “shall not include, nor shall ever have been so included,” raising concerns about the status of thousands already recognised under the previous law. Legal experts note that this shift moves away from the Supreme Court’s 2014 judgment in National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) vs Union of India, which held that self-determination of gender is a fundamental right under Article 21.Why has the Act faced fierce opposition?The opposition from the transgender community has been swift and widespread.“From the start to the end this bill is completely arbitrary, nonsense, and it violates every kind of human right that is possible on the planet,” said Baadal, a trans activist. At the core of the protests is the removal of self-identification. Activists describe the introduction of medical boards as “medical gatekeeping,” arguing it places identity under institutional scrutiny.Mumbai Queer Pride, in a statement, said the law risks erasing transgender persons “under the guise of medical scrutiny.” Another major concern is the lack of consultation. Members of the National Council for Transgender Persons reportedly said they were not consulted before the bill was introduced.Gwande said they have asked for an unconditional apology from the officials of ministry of social justice and empowerment for “refusing to meet the representatives of the community and also insulting them.”Two members of the National Council of Transgender Persons (NCTP), Kalki Subramanium and Rituparna Neog, stepped down from their positions after the Rajya Sabha approved the controversial bill. Describing the bill as “regressive” and “existential,” they stated they could not continue being part of a council that the government chose not to consult.In her resignation letter addressed to minister Virendra Kumar, Subramanium, who represented the southern states on the council, said that “the recent introduction and passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment bill” has “created an untenable position” for her.She further wrote, “As a statutory representative, my primary mandate is to advise the Government on legislation affecting our lives. The decision to move this bill forward without any formal consultation with myself or other community representatives of the NCTP undermines the very purpose for which this Council was established.”Highlighting her recent engagements, she added, “I have spent the last several weeks in constant dialogue with the transgender and intersex communities across the Southern Indian states and throughout the nation. The consensus is absolute: this bill is seen as a step backward for our fundamental rights to self identification and dignity.”Legal tenabilityLegal experts argue that the Act may face constitutional challenges.The NALSA judgment had explicitly rejected biological tests for determining gender and affirmed self-identification as a constitutional right.It also drew from international frameworks such as the Yogyakarta Principles, which state that no one should be forced to undergo medical procedures for legal recognition of gender identity.Karan Singh, a lawyer, talking about the legal standing of Act said, “on face of it the legislation itself seems to fall flat on multiple legal grounds, it stands in straight contradiction/violation of the NALSA judgement, the privacy of people choosing to undergo procedures is at stake, again violative of right to privacy, dignity under Article 19, and also the doctor-patient confidentiality is seemingly being violated as well.” The introduction of mandatory medical certification and reporting requirements raises concerns around privacy as well. In KS Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017), the Supreme Court recognised informational privacy as a fundamental right.Critics argue the Act does not clearly establish a legitimate state interest for collecting sensitive medical data, nor does it define safeguards.A Supreme Court-constituted advisory committee on transgender rights had urged the Centre to withdraw the bill, immediately after it was passed by Parliament, citing concerns that key provisions violate established legal principles. The panel, headed by former Delhi High Court judge Justice Asha Menon, wrote to Minister Virendra Kumar on last Wednesday.In its resolution, the committee flagged that the proposal to deny the right to self-identification of gender runs contrary to the Supreme Court’s 2014 NALSA v Union of India judgment, which recognised this right without requiring medical intervention. The panel cautioned that replacing self-identification with a state-controlled certification process, mandating assessment by a medical board, marks a significant departure from the court’s ruling.The committee was set up by the Supreme Court in October 2025 while hearing a case involving the dismissal of a transgender woman from teaching jobs in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. It was tasked with identifying gaps in the implementation of the Transgender Persons Act, 2019, and recommending measures to ensure equal participation and “reasonable accommodation” for transgender persons. Impact on privacy, acceptance, individualityBeyond legality, the Act’s implications extend to everyday life.Identity certificates are gateways to welfare schemes, healthcare, and employment opportunities. By making certification more complex, activists say the law may limit access to these benefits.The requirement for hospitals to share details of gender-affirming procedures has raised concerns about surveillance and stigma.“There is no medical test to prove anyone’s gender,” said Sneha. “But we are asked to prove it.”Activists also warn of a “chilling effect”, where social workers, NGOs, and even families may hesitate to support transgender individuals due to fear of legal consequences.While speaking on bill in Rajya Sabha Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury asked a pertinent question, pointing to treasury benches she said, “do you know what LGBTQ+ is? Can even four people sitting in the house tell me the meaning, I’ll accept the amendment.”She further added, “When there isn’t enough awareness in the Parliament, how is it gonna be on the streets and society?”The road aheadWhile the government maintains that the amendments strengthen protections, the response from the community suggests otherwise.“If it becomes law, we will challenge it,” Gwande said. He had also expressed hope that the President would not give her assent to the bill, after multiple rights organizations had written to her asking to return the bill to Parliament for reconsideration. But, the bill got Presidential assent on Monday. For many, the issue goes beyond a single piece of legislation. It touches upon the fundamental question of autonomy.As the Supreme Court observed in NALSA, “the moral failure lies in the society’s unwillingness to contain or embrace different gender identities.”The current conditions suggest that the question remains unresolved, and is now being tested in law.About the AuthorYash SonkarWrites on politics, global affairs, and geopolitics for The Times of India. Tracks power and diplomacy as it moves, across capitals, corridors and negotiating tables, and what it changes along the way beyond rhetoric. Runs on nuance, news cycles and curiosity.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTrump Ready To End Iran War Despite Hormuz Blockade?; Iran’s Oil Revenues Soar Thanks To Trump’s War’India’s Silence Helpful To US, Israel And Gulf States’: Former Deputy NSA Pankaj Saran On Iran WarBig April Financial Reset: New Rules For UPI, ATM, PAN, FASTag, Railway Booking To Impact Daily Life’Like Political Vultures’: PM Modi Slams Congress For ‘Spreading Fear’ Amid West Asia CrisisFallen Leaves To Cooking Fuel: IIT Bombay Develops Indigenous Technology To Tackle LPG Crisis‘One Roti’ For Survival? 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NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK chief M K Stalin on Tuesday launched his campaign for the April 23 Assembly elections from Tiruvarur, taking sharp aim at the AIADMK and the BJP-led NDA while positioning the elections as a contest between the state and the Centre.Introducing candidates of the DMK and its allies, Stalin alleged that the NDA’s objective was to undermine Tamil Nadu’s progress. “This is the purpose of the NDA alliance. The BJP, which leads the NDA, has bought the AIADMK because they do not have the strength to oppose us in Tamil Nadu,” he said, according to PTI.Escalating his attack, he added, “NDA is in TN to lose, the Assembly polls is a fight between Tamil Nadu and Delhi-NDA.” Stalin also criticised AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, accusing him of lacking vision and alleging that the BJP had reduced the AIADMK to a “slave alliance” by “intimidating” its leadership.After addressing the rally, Stalin walked through the streets of Tiruvarur, interacting with residents and seeking their support for the upcoming polls.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India’s Silence Helpful To US, Israel And Gulf States’: Former Deputy NSA Pankaj Saran On Iran WarBig April Financial Reset: New Rules For UPI, ATM, PAN, FASTag, Railway Booking To Impact Daily Life’Like Political Vultures’: PM Modi Slams Congress For ‘Spreading Fear’ Amid West Asia CrisisFallen Leaves To Cooking Fuel: IIT Bombay Develops Indigenous Technology To Tackle LPG Crisis‘One Roti’ For Survival? Pakistani Cleric Stuns India, Reveals Kashmir’s Dark Insurgency SecretMajor Boost Of India’s Maritime Capabilities, Indian Navy Gets 2 Warships & Survey Vessel In Single Day’Played Bangladeshi National Anthem’: Rajnath Singh Slams Congress In Assam Over Infiltration’Nalanda Revival Signals…’: EAM Jaishankar Highlights India’s Role In Shaping Multipolar WorldIndia Eyes Global Semiconductor Leadership As PM Modi Launches ₹3,300 Crore Gujarat Plant Initiative’I Want To See India A Super Power By…’: Ex-Tennis Star Leander Paes Joins BJP Before Bengal Polls123PhotostoriesUnanswered questions in ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ that keep the story alive beyond the screen5 cars that perfectly blend vintage charm with modern appealEnjoyed ‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen’? 5 series like this you should add to your watchlistIPL 2026: How Indian cricketer Ishant Sharma met his wife Pratima Singh: From sport stars to parents5 things to know before entering an age-gap relationshipNutrition expert explains how regular potatoes can be used as a gut and liver-boosting food, simple recipe inside5 times Bollywood actresses proved that loud polka dots are the new quiet luxuryRachel McAdams, Emily Blunt to Jason Momoa: Stars who rejected roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe5 high-protein burgers you can easily make at home and tips to maximize nutritionRussia, Uzbekistan and countries named after famous figures123Hot PicksIncome Tax Changes from April 1stPost office small savings schemesNASA Artemis IIAmazon treeIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Match TodayRajasthan Board 12th Science ResultVaibhav SooryavanshiKarnataka 1st PUC ResultsUS Iran WarKolkata Assembly ElectionBihar Temple NewsRavindra JadejaDrake Maye InjuryBank Holiday this week

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK chief M K Stalin on Tuesday launched his campaign for the April 23 Assembly elections from Tiruvarur, taking sharp aim at the AIADMK and the BJP-led NDA while positioning the elections as a contest between the state and the Centre.Introducing candidates of the DMK and its allies, Stalin alleged that the NDA’s objective was to undermine Tamil Nadu’s progress. “This is the purpose of the NDA alliance. The BJP, which leads the NDA, has bought the AIADMK because they do not have the strength to oppose us in Tamil Nadu,” he said, according to PTI.Escalating his attack, he added, “NDA is in TN to lose, the Assembly polls is a fight between Tamil Nadu and Delhi-NDA.” Stalin also criticised AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, accusing him of lacking vision and alleging that the BJP had reduced the AIADMK to a “slave alliance” by “intimidating” its leadership.After addressing the rally, Stalin walked through the streets of Tiruvarur, interacting with residents and seeking their support for the upcoming polls.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India’s Silence Helpful To US, Israel And Gulf States’: Former Deputy NSA Pankaj Saran On Iran WarBig April Financial Reset: New Rules For UPI, ATM, PAN, FASTag, Railway Booking To Impact Daily Life’Like Political Vultures’: PM Modi Slams Congress For ‘Spreading Fear’ Amid West Asia CrisisFallen Leaves To Cooking Fuel: IIT Bombay Develops Indigenous Technology To Tackle LPG Crisis‘One Roti’ For Survival? Pakistani Cleric Stuns India, Reveals Kashmir’s Dark Insurgency SecretMajor Boost Of India’s Maritime Capabilities, Indian Navy Gets 2 Warships & Survey Vessel In Single Day’Played Bangladeshi National Anthem’: Rajnath Singh Slams Congress In Assam Over Infiltration’Nalanda Revival Signals…’: EAM Jaishankar Highlights India’s Role In Shaping Multipolar WorldIndia Eyes Global Semiconductor Leadership As PM Modi Launches ₹3,300 Crore Gujarat Plant Initiative’I Want To See India A Super Power By…’: Ex-Tennis Star Leander Paes Joins BJP Before Bengal Polls123PhotostoriesUnanswered questions in ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ that keep the story alive beyond the screen5 cars that perfectly blend vintage charm with modern appealEnjoyed ‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen’? 5 series like this you should add to your watchlistIPL 2026: How Indian cricketer Ishant Sharma met his wife Pratima Singh: From sport stars to parents5 things to know before entering an age-gap relationshipNutrition expert explains how regular potatoes can be used as a gut and liver-boosting food, simple recipe inside5 times Bollywood actresses proved that loud polka dots are the new quiet luxuryRachel McAdams, Emily Blunt to Jason Momoa: Stars who rejected roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe5 high-protein burgers you can easily make at home and tips to maximize nutritionRussia, Uzbekistan and countries named after famous figures123Hot PicksIncome Tax Changes from April 1stPost office small savings schemesNASA Artemis IIAmazon treeIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Match TodayRajasthan Board 12th Science ResultVaibhav SooryavanshiKarnataka 1st PUC ResultsUS Iran WarKolkata Assembly ElectionBihar Temple NewsRavindra JadejaDrake Maye InjuryBank Holiday this week

Vamsikrishna 0
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday accused the Congress of doing “disgusting politics” by including the issue of singer Zubeen Garg’s death in its election manifesto, saying the party had “committed an unpardonable crime” by invoking the late singer’s name for votes.Speaking on the sidelines of the BJP manifesto release programme here, Sarma said Zubeen Garg was deeply loved by the people of Assam and it was “unfortunate and sad” to use his name in an election campaign.“The Congress has committed an unpardonable crime by including Zubeen’s name and his death in its election manifesto. If the Congress wants to pay real tribute to Zubeen, they can hire a lawyer… they can bring Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who can argue the case free of cost in the fast-track court,” he said.The remarks came after the Congress, in its manifesto released by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, promised justice for the singer within 100 days of coming to power.Sarma said the issue was already being heard in court and claimed the Congress was unaware that a fast-track court had been constituted and daily hearings had already begun.“Nobody has done this kind of disgusting politics of bringing in Zubeen’s name to seek votes… People will give the party stern punishment at the hustings,” he added.The chief minister said the government could not dictate the outcome of the case and could only facilitate the legal process by setting up the court and appointing prosecution lawyers.“I want justice delivered in under three months, preferably within a month. I believe the way the proceedings are taking place, it will not take even 100 days to deliver justice, and I hope we will get good news within a month,” he said.The Gauhati High Court had appointed an exclusive fast-track sessions court on March 16, and the state government later provided logistical support for its functioning.Zubeen Garg, 52, died while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19 last year, where he had gone to attend the fourth North East India Festival (NEIF).Following his death, the Assam government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the CID wing of Assam Police to probe the case. The SIT later filed a chargesheet before a local court in Guwahati, naming seven accused, all of whom have been arrested and are currently in judicial custody.Sarma also attacked the Congress leadership, alleging that Kharge had insulted both Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg, while also referring to remarks allegedly made by Kharge’s son.“Kharge’s son had insulted the youth of Assam, saying there was no talented person in the state to work in the semiconductor industry… Will people believe that they can give justice to Zubeen Garg?” Sarma said.The chief minister further alleged that a video circulating on social media showed people from a consultancy firm hired by the Congress discussing how the issue of Zubeen Garg’s death should be raised at different levels to secure votes.“If I become the chief minister again, I will ensure that all members of this firm are arrested for indulging in this kind of dirty politics and conspiracy. I will not spare anybody who does politics in Zubeen’s name,” he said.Sarma said he did not want to politicise the singer’s name and would visit his memorial again only after taking oath as chief minister.“Zubeen had himself said ‘politics nokoriba, bondhu’ (Don’t indulge in politics, friends), but Congress is doing just that… let the singer be at peace,” he said.He also questioned why Congress leaders visit the singer’s memorial with cameras.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFallen Leaves To Cooking Fuel: IIT Bombay Develops Indigenous Technology To Tackle LPG Crisis‘One Roti’ For Survival? 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Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday accused the Congress of doing “disgusting politics” by including the issue of singer Zubeen Garg’s death in its election manifesto, saying the party had “committed an unpardonable crime” by invoking the late singer’s name for votes.Speaking on the sidelines of the BJP manifesto release programme here, Sarma said Zubeen Garg was deeply loved by the people of Assam and it was “unfortunate and sad” to use his name in an election campaign.“The Congress has committed an unpardonable crime by including Zubeen’s name and his death in its election manifesto. If the Congress wants to pay real tribute to Zubeen, they can hire a lawyer… they can bring Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who can argue the case free of cost in the fast-track court,” he said.The remarks came after the Congress, in its manifesto released by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, promised justice for the singer within 100 days of coming to power.Sarma said the issue was already being heard in court and claimed the Congress was unaware that a fast-track court had been constituted and daily hearings had already begun.“Nobody has done this kind of disgusting politics of bringing in Zubeen’s name to seek votes… People will give the party stern punishment at the hustings,” he added.The chief minister said the government could not dictate the outcome of the case and could only facilitate the legal process by setting up the court and appointing prosecution lawyers.“I want justice delivered in under three months, preferably within a month. I believe the way the proceedings are taking place, it will not take even 100 days to deliver justice, and I hope we will get good news within a month,” he said.The Gauhati High Court had appointed an exclusive fast-track sessions court on March 16, and the state government later provided logistical support for its functioning.Zubeen Garg, 52, died while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19 last year, where he had gone to attend the fourth North East India Festival (NEIF).Following his death, the Assam government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the CID wing of Assam Police to probe the case. The SIT later filed a chargesheet before a local court in Guwahati, naming seven accused, all of whom have been arrested and are currently in judicial custody.Sarma also attacked the Congress leadership, alleging that Kharge had insulted both Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg, while also referring to remarks allegedly made by Kharge’s son.“Kharge’s son had insulted the youth of Assam, saying there was no talented person in the state to work in the semiconductor industry… Will people believe that they can give justice to Zubeen Garg?” Sarma said.The chief minister further alleged that a video circulating on social media showed people from a consultancy firm hired by the Congress discussing how the issue of Zubeen Garg’s death should be raised at different levels to secure votes.“If I become the chief minister again, I will ensure that all members of this firm are arrested for indulging in this kind of dirty politics and conspiracy. I will not spare anybody who does politics in Zubeen’s name,” he said.Sarma said he did not want to politicise the singer’s name and would visit his memorial again only after taking oath as chief minister.“Zubeen had himself said ‘politics nokoriba, bondhu’ (Don’t indulge in politics, friends), but Congress is doing just that… let the singer be at peace,” he said.He also questioned why Congress leaders visit the singer’s memorial with cameras.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFallen Leaves To Cooking Fuel: IIT Bombay Develops Indigenous Technology To Tackle LPG Crisis‘One Roti’ For Survival? 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