New Delhi, March 25 The Parliament passed a bill on Wednesday to amend a law protecting and safeguarding the rights of transgender persons, proposing to exclude social orientations from the law's scope. The Rajya Sabha gave its approval, even as opposition members urged for sending it to a select committee.
The bill, which seeks to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act 2019, also provides for graded punishments based on the severity of harm inflicted on such individuals. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Responding to the debate on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar said the proposed legislation is an effort to bring all segments of society together.
He stated that the bill aims to provide protection only to those who face discrimination due to biological issues. The minister asserted that the amendment will ensure that transgender persons continue to receive legal recognition and protection.
The Modi government is committed to protecting all those who are suffering due to biological reasons, he added, emphasizing that their rights will be protected.
The minister opined that such persons should be brought into the mainstream so that they do not live in despair.
Highlighting the steps taken by the government for the welfare of the community, the minister said that transgender welfare boards have been established in over 30 states. This bill will provide administrative clarity and protect the rights of transgender persons.
The minister stated that the legislation will help end discrimination against transgender persons, noting that the bill reflects the Modi government's commitment to "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas."
The government is working towards the emancipation and empowerment of every person, and the proposed legislation is an effort to bring all segments of society together, he stated.
The Modi government is committed to protecting all those who are suffering due to biological reasons.
The bill was passed by voice vote in the Rajya Sabha after rejecting amendments proposed by the Opposition. The House did not approve the demands by the Opposition for sending the bill to a select committee.
"This bill reflects our nation's commitment to ensuring that every citizen enjoys equal rights and lives with dignity and respect. This bill is not merely a legal reform but a pathway to justice for those who have long faced social exclusion and discrimination due to their identity," he said.
"Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas is not just a slogan, but a firm resolve of our government, which, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working towards building a strong and inclusive India, where every citizen can move forward with dignity and hope," he said.
He assured the House that this step is not merely a legal exercise but a national commitment to build a strong, self-reliant, and inclusive India.
The bill seeks to provide a precise definition of the term "transgender" and exclude "different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities" from the scope of the proposed law. It was introduced in the Lok Sabha earlier this month.
The minister said that efforts have been made to recognize the specific needs of transgender persons who face serious social challenges and to create a framework for their protection.
Several members participated in the debate, including Amar Pal Maurya (BJP), Renuka Chowdhury (Congress), Fauziya Khan (NCP-SP), Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD), Saket Gokhale (TMC), and Tiruchi Siva (DMK).
Some members urged for sending the bill to a select committee.
AAP MP Swati Maliwal stated that gender inequality for transgender persons must be urgently corrected.
She noted that the provision in the bill criminalizing someone for presenting as transgender, is vague and risky.
It is risky because it may target families, doctors, and the support system of the transgender community.
"Instead of protection, we may create outright fear. Today, we must stand up for those who have been marginalized for centuries. We must send this bill to a select committee and hold wider consultations because dignity delayed is dignity denied," she said.
CPI (M) MP John Brittas also asked the government to send this bill to a select or a standing committee.
SP MP Jaya Bachchan said, "My request is to withdraw the bill and bring it back for consideration in the monsoon session and then discuss it."
Opposing the bill, IUML's Abdul Wahab asked the government to send this bill for deliberation to a select committee.
NCP-SCP's leader Fauzia Khan and SS-UBT's Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi also asked the government to send the bill to a select committee.
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva demanded consultation with stakeholders, legal experts, civil society, the transgender community, as well as a review by the select committee.
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha urged the government not to amend the self-identification norm in the existing law, as it will further burden the already overburdened bureaucracy besides posing other challenges.
Golla Babu Rao from YSR Congress Party and Subhasish Khuntia from BJD seconded the demand with the other Opposition members and demanded that the bill be sent to a parliamentary committee for stakeholder consultation