Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, criticized the BJP government’s Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, calling it a direct assault on the constitutional rights and identity of transgender individuals. Gandhi expressed the Congress party’s strong opposition to the legislation, stating that it undermines the fundamental rights of transgender people by denying them the right to self-identify, contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.
He further condemned the Bill for erasing the diverse cultural identities of transgender communities in India and subjecting individuals to dehumanizing medical examinations. Gandhi also raised concerns about the introduction of criminal penalties and surveillance measures without adequate safeguards, accusing the government of failing to consult the transgender community before drafting the legislation.
Emphasizing the importance of constitutional values, Gandhi highlighted that every citizen is guaranteed the right to life, liberty, identity, and dignity by the Constitution. He accused the government of undermining these principles with the proposed Bill, which has faced criticism for narrowing the definition of transgender identity and imposing additional procedural requirements for legal recognition.
