Lok Sabha passes bill to protect rights of transgenders

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed a bill which gives a mechanism for social, monetary and educational empowerment of transgenders.

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2019 was passed by a voice vote during noisy protest by some opposition parties over Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury not being permitted to talk on his adjournment notice.

As per the Minister of State for Social Justice Rattan Lal Kataria, it makes provision for establishing a national authority for safeguarding rights of transgenders.

There are more than 4.80 lakh transgenders in the country as per the 2011 statistics, said by minister.

He said in the bill there are provisions for penalty and discipline in instances of offenses and sexual harassment against transgender people.

An argumentative provision that criminalised begging by transgender people has been removed from the bill. The provision was a part of the bill when it was presented by the past government.

Passing by the bill, a person would have the privilege to be recognized as a man, woman or transgender, irrespectively of sex reassignment surgery and hormonal treatment.
It also requires, to get certified as a transperson, they can go through a district magistrate and district screening committee.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said transgenders are image of satisfaction. “They visit homes of individuals during the season of festivities and joy and it is likewise critical to spare their culture and heritage”.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.