A group of transgender, intersex, and gender-diverse organizations gathered at Azad Maidan on March 25, 2026, to protest against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026. They want the bill sent to a parliamentary committee, claiming it removes existing protections and weakens support for transgender communities.
Shals Mahajan, an activist, said people from various backgrounds had joined online and offline protests, collecting signatures to hand over to MPs. Deniella Mendonca, another protester, explained that if the bill doesn’t recognize her as trans, it would make her vote, taxes, and religion illegal. She called for equal treatment under the law.
Yadnya Ankita from Mumbai Action criticized the bill for limiting the definition of transgender people. It requires proof of identity through medical tests, which she said invades privacy and removes the right to self-identify. The bill only includes certain cultural groups like Hijra and Kinnar but excludes others, such as Nupi Mambi and non-binary individuals. She warned it could criminalize those who support these excluded communities.
Harshada from Disha Students Organisation said the bill reflects a broader effort to limit civil liberties and marginalize vulnerable groups. The government claims the changes are needed to prevent misuse of the transgender definition, but activists say no evidence supports this claim.
The protest was part of a series held across India, including smaller cities. Activists urged the Rajya Sabha to debate the bill and base future laws on recommendations for employment, education, and violence protection.
The bill, passed by the Lok Sabha, removes self-identification rights recognized by the Supreme Court in 2014. It replaces this with medical board scrutiny and limits the definition of transgender to specific groups. Activists argue these changes erode fundamental rights and must be reviewed.