NEW DELHI: Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday opposed transgender persons amendment bill and demanded that it be either withdrawn or referred to a select committee of Parliament.
Participating in a discussion on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Upper House, CPI (M) leader John Brittas accused the government of violating Constitutional provisions with the introduction of this proposed legislation.
"This is a black day. A tragic step backward dragging us a full century into the past. All the other countries, 30 plus other countries, are becoming inclusive trying to embrace this community which has been marginalised. At this juncture, we are going a century backward with exclusionary restrictive measures," he said.
Referring to one of the bill's provisions meant for defining transgender people, Brittas said "from a self-perceived identification, you are going (to force) for a traumatic forced medical intervention".
He said, primarily Constitutional provisions are being flouted blatantly by this government. Brittas asked the government to send this bill to a select or a standing committee.
"What's the hurry in bulldozing this bill? I don't understand. I feel this is a day which is a black letter day. We are being taken a century back and I would plead with the minister (of social justice and empowerment) you should not invite the wrath of a community. Please make sure that either the bill is withdrawn or let this bill be referred to a select committee," he added.
Samajwadi Party's Rajya Sabha member Jaya Amitabh Bachchan questioned "urgency" in bringing this bill.
"Why can't it be examined with the depth and care it deserves?" she asked.
Bachchan said, transgender persons were kept in the houses of kings and queens to provide security to women in olden times.
"They were considered safe but today suddenly the government is feeling very unsafe with their presence," she said.
Bachchan said that regulatory priority should be given to finance related bills before taking up other matters of such sensitivity and consequence.
"My request is to withdraw the bill and bring it back after consideration in the Monsoon session and let's (then) discuss it," she added.
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 said it is Constitutional duty to provide protection to transgender persons from abuse, violence, social ostracization, deprivation, shame and indignity, "Why should transgender (persons) beg on streets, traffic signals or at places of worship? The slogan for a developed India should not be selective India. A strong slogan would be 'beggar-free India'. This will benefit children and transgender people. People with disabilities will no longer be seen risking their lives on the streets."
"They will be rehabilitated and provided with homes. They will enter the mainstream of education. They will lead a life of dignity. (So) Please take this bill to the select committee," she said.
SS-UBT's Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi also asked the government to either withdraw this "inhuman bill" or send it to the select committee.
In his remarks, BJP's Bhim Singh accused the opposition party members of shedding "crocodile tears" and said their governments, when in power, did nothing to protect the rights of transgender people.
This bill will help in strengthening the rights of transgender people, he added.