New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu has officially granted her assent to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, according to a Union Law Ministry gazette notification. The legislation, which has now become an Act, was cleared by the Rajya Sabha on March 25, just one day after passing through the Lok Sabha. Despite the government’s stance that the law aims to “take along all segments of society,” the move has sparked a wave of intense criticism from human rights advocates, legal experts, and opposition leaders.
Prior to the President’s approval, a group of 140 lawyers and feminists had formally petitioned the Rashtrapati Bhavan to withhold assent. The petition highlighted “constitutional violations” and “procedural infirmities,” arguing that the Bill was rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny from a select committee. Critics are particularly alarmed by a new, narrowed definition of transgender persons that allegedly excludes trans men, trans women, and non-binary individuals who do not possess a medical diagnosis. Opponents claim this effectively removes protections for self-perceived identity, contradicting previous Supreme Court mandates and constitutional guarantees of dignity.
Political reactions have been sharp, with AAP leader Ruben Mascarenhas describing the legislation as “medieval” and “regressive.” In a statement on X, he claimed the law places India among countries with significant human rights concerns. Conversely, Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar defended the Act, stating it is designed to provide legal recognition and protection specifically to those facing discrimination due to biological issues. As the Act comes into force, legal analysts anticipate potential challenges in the Supreme Court regarding its impact on the fundamental rights of the LGBTQ+ community
