Earlier today, the Rajya Sabha passed the Transgender Persons Bill, 2019 by a voice note without making any ammendments as suggested by transgender activists.
According to The Wire, the Minister for social justice, Thaawarchand Gehlot moved the bill in the Upper House of the parliament.
Transgender activists, meanwhile, have been extremely critical of the bill as they believe it would further increase the stigma and discrimination against trans people in the name of protecting rights.
According to reports, the bill has also been talking about gender in binary terms which goes directly against the trans rights movements
Reports state that according to the bill, sexual abuse of a transgender person is punishable by only two years imprisonment while sexual abuse under the IPC means a minimum punishment of seven years.
Naturally, people aren’t happy about the bill and they aren’t afraid to say so.
Today, on #ConstitutionDay, BJP loses mandate in #Maharashtra, but wins at the Centre by managing to pass the draconian #TransBill2019. Trans activists have worked SO hard to point out all the problems with the Bill. Is anybody in power even listening to the public? Heartbroken.
— Radhika 🏳️🌈✊🏾 (@so_radhikal) November 26, 2019
This is horrifying.
— Anish Gawande (@anishgawande) November 26, 2019
The transphobic #TransBill, which was opposed by the trans community it was meant to protect, has passed in the Rajya Sabha.
And the irony is that this government will now use the Trans Bill to claim that it is progressive across the world. Disgusting. https://t.co/fCj8tL0tuy
Introduce the Regressive Trans Bill on Transgender Day of Remembrance
— Dr. Aqsa Shaikh (@Dr_Aqsa_Shaikh) November 26, 2019
Pass it on Constitution Day by brute force
Irony died a million deaths#TransBill
The Rajya Sabha has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2019 against the protests of Indian trans activists and their allies. A flawed piece of legislation and a bad day for the Indian trans community. https://t.co/2O96B6y5Ll
— Sandra Duffy (@Sandra_NiD) November 26, 2019
Tiruchi Siva: employment and education opportunities?
— Bittu K (@BittuKarthikK) November 26, 2019
BJP dominated Rajya Sabha: No!
Rajeev Gowda: medical care provided by government?
BJP dominated Rajya Sabha: No!
And you dare to call it a trans “rights” bill
Earlier this Sunday, a pride parade had also been used as a protest against passing the bill.
