NEW DELHI: Over 140 lawyers, law students, feminists and social activists have written to President Droupadi Murmu urging her not to grant assent to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, and instead send it back to Parliament for reconsideration.The controversial bill was passed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, amid demands from the opposition that it be referred to a parliamentary standing committee for wider consultations. The bill now awaits the President’s assent to become law.The signatories of the letter — members of All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA) and National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR) — highlight the omission of the provision through amendments to the 2019 law that guaranteed every person the right to “self-perceived gender identity”. Israel Iran WarMiddle East conflict: One Indian dead, another injured by missile debris in Abu Dhabi‘Man who ran Strait of Hormuz’: Iran navy commander Alireza Tangsiri killed in Israeli strikeBab al-Mandeb: How the ‘Gate of Tears’ may emerge as Iran’s second choke point after HormuzThey cited this denial as a violation of Constitutional rights.Members of ALIFA and NAJAR — platforms associated with the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) — in the letter said they are “alarmed” and “distressed” at the undue and unjustifiable haste with which LS and RS passed the “deeply problematic and regressive” bill, “disregarding community concerns, opposition voices and in violation of multiple binding Supreme Court judgments”.The letter said,“In the National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India (2014), SC held that the right to self-determination/self-identification of one’s gender is a fundamental right protected under the Constitution. The bill omits Section 4(2) of the Principal Act, which guaranteed every person the right to self-perceived gender identity, thereby violating constitutional rights of citizens of India.”The letter also objected to the introduction of a medical board, whose recommendation the district magistrate is required to ‘examine’ before issuing a certificate of identity.“While the bill is presented as making implementation ‘more effective’ by reaching those who are “in actual need of protection” the amendments will in fact exclude a vast majority of the most marginalised — economically, culturally and socially — transgender people from accessing protections and rights, they are entitled to under law,” it said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosLPG Vessel ‘Apollo Ocean’ Carrying 16,000 Tonnes Of Cargo Docks In KarnatakaUS Lawmaker Brandon Gill’s Chhat Puja Remark Sparks Outrage, Indian Diaspora Hits Back Strongly’Only PM Modi Can…’: Ex-US Army Col Ridicules Pak’s Mediation Push In Iran War, Pitches India‘Get Serious Before It’s Too Late’, Trump To Iran; Indian Govt Says ‘Have Enough Fuel For 2 Months’West Asia Conflict: PM Modi To Chair Key Meet With CMs To Review Preparedness, PlansIAF Seeks Ultra-Light High-Altitude Drones To Enhance Garud Commandos Capabilities | WatchHow Precision Rockets Are Changing Modern Warfare | Pinaka System Explained’India Is An Oasis Of Energy Security’: Govt Says No Fuel Shortage, Warns Against Misinformation’China And India Cannot Be Moved Apart’: Chinese Envoy’s BIG Message To Delhi, Urges Good TiesIndia-US Defence Partnership Enters New Phase With Focus On Co-Development And Technology Sharing123Photostories10 abandoned islands in the world no one dares to live on and the chilling reasons whyPM Narendra Modi loves Khichdi for regular meals: 5 traditional ways to add 20 gms more protein to the comfort mealFrom Instagram talaq to ‘Divorce’ perfume and rapper romance: Dubai Princess Sheikha Mahra’s fearless reinvention as a single momAre situationships hurting your mental health?From Jameel Jamali to Ram Prasad and Ravi Choudhary; Rakesh Bedi’s memorable roles in BollywoodObjectum sexuality: 10 bizarre incidents where people “Married” objectsWhat men really want! 5 things husbands secretly wish from their wivesDurandhar 2’s Rakesh Bedi aka Jameel Jamali’s 5 memorable shows: From Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah to Shrimaan ShrimatiWant puffed-up pooris every time? Chef Ranveer Brar reveals 2 simple tricks to follow5 versatile bikes that adapt to every terrain with precision123Hot PicksKaroline LeavitTristan da Cunha8th Pay CommissionGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingICE immigration courtsFIFA World Cup TrophyIndia-Bangladesh NewsIran war newsMLB Opening Day 2026US-Iran-War impactUS mortgage ratesNirav ModiUS citizenshipCOVID-19 fraud case
NEW DELHI: Over 140 lawyers, law students, feminists and social activists have written to President Droupadi Murmu urging her not to grant assent to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, and instead send it back to Parliament for reconsideration.The controversial bill was passed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, amid demands from the opposition that it be referred to a parliamentary standing committee for wider consultations. The bill now awaits the President’s assent to become law.The signatories of the letter — members of All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA) and National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR) — highlight the omission of the provision through amendments to the 2019 law that guaranteed every person the right to “self-perceived gender identity”. They cited this denial as a violation of Constitutional rights.Members of ALIFA and NAJAR — platforms associated with the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) — in the letter said they are “alarmed” and “distressed” at the undue and unjustifiable haste with which LS and RS passed the “deeply problematic and regressive” bill, “disregarding community concerns, opposition voices and in violation of multiple binding Supreme Court judgments”.The letter said,“In the National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India (2014), SC held that the right to self-determination/self-identification of one’s gender is a fundamental right protected under the Constitution. The bill omits Section 4(2) of the Principal Act, which guaranteed every person the right to self-perceived gender identity, thereby violating constitutional rights of citizens of India.”The letter also objected to the introduction of a medical board, whose recommendation the district magistrate is required to ‘examine’ before issuing a certificate of identity.“While the bill is presented as making implementation ‘more effective’ by reaching those who are “in actual need of protection” the amendments will in fact exclude a vast majority of the most marginalised — economically, culturally and socially — transgender people from accessing protections and rights, they are entitled to under law,” it said.
