Activists condemn transgender bill passage in Lok Sabha, says haste in Rajya Sabha 'scary'

NEW DELHI: (Mar 25) Activists on Wednesday termed the passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha a "black day" for the community, saying that the government is in a hurry to pass it in the Rajya Sabha as well.

Speaking to PTI, NCP-SP leader Anish Gawande, the country's first openly gay national spokesperson of a political party, said, "This is a black day for human rights in India. The bill was passed without any concrete response to several valid concerns raised by the opposition, which shows the government's unwillingness to listen to constructive criticism."

He said there has been no meaningful engagement with the transgender community while drafting the legislation.