Kolkata, March 17, 2026: Members of the transgender youth community, along with civil society groups, on Tuesday voiced strong concerns over the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, warning that certain provisions may undermine the constitutional principle of gender self-identification recognised by the Supreme Court.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Kolkata Press Club, representatives of Transgender Adhikar Sanghati Manch (TAS) said the amendment, introduced in Parliament on March 13, 2026, was reportedly passed in the Lok Sabha through a voice vote without detailed discussion, triggering concern within the community.
“Young transgender Indians have just begun entering mainstream life with dignity. Laws that weaken self-identification risk pushing them back into the very marginalisation they have fought so hard to overcome,” speakers said during the interaction.
Activists voice concern
The press conference was addressed by Debangshi Biswas Chowdhury, Founder of TAS; Shaan Chowdhury, Co-Founder of TAS and a transgender man; Riyan Biswas, a trans youth leader; Tista Das, transgender rights activist and actor; Dipan Chakrabarty, LGBTQ+ rights advocate and transgender man; Baitali Ganguly, Founder of Jabala Action Research Organisation; and Bappaditya Mukherjee, a gender rights activist and youth development practitioner. A message of solidarity was also shared by social reformer Alokananda Roy.
According to the speakers, the proposed amendment seeks to revise the definition of “transgender person” under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 by referring to certain socio-cultural identities such as hijra, kinner, aravani, jogta or eunuch, along with persons with intersex variations.
Community members expressed concern that such wording could narrow the understanding of transgender identity and potentially exclude individuals who do not belong to traditional socio-cultural transgender communities.
Concerns over constitutional principles
Debangshi Biswas Chowdhury said the amendment could weaken the constitutional progress achieved through the landmark NALSA v. Union of India (2014) judgment.
“The NALSA judgment recognised gender identity as a matter of personal autonomy and dignity. Any move to weaken the principle of self-identification risks reversing years of struggle by the transgender community,” she said.
Sharing his personal experience, Shaan Chowdhury spoke about the social challenges faced by transgender youth.
“As a young person I had to give up football because my family feared social stigma. The journey towards living openly has been difficult. If identity recognition depends on medical boards or administrative approval, it will make life even harder for transgender youth,” he said.
Human rights concerns raised
Dipan Chakrabarty criticised the proposed changes, saying the bill risks undermining the constitutional rights of transgender citizens.
“A socio-cultural institution cannot define gender identity, yet this bill attempts to impose such definitions,” he said.
Echoing similar concerns, Tista Das warned about the potential human rights implications if the amendment becomes law.
“The Transgender Persons Protection Act Amendment 2026 is a negative and anti-human rights bill. If it becomes law, it will create grave dangers for the entire transgender community,” she said.
Call for consultation
Speakers also noted that the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020 currently allow legal recognition of transgender identity through a self-declaration affidavit submitted to the District Magistrate, without requiring medical examination.
They urged the Government of India to withdraw the proposed amendment and ensure that any legislative changes affecting transgender persons are carried out in consultation with the community and in alignment with constitutional protections affirmed by the Supreme Court of India.
Concluding the press meet, speakers reiterated their stand, stating firmly that there can be “No Going Back on the NALSA Judgment.”
