The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday strongly criticised the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, asserting that it will continue to fight for the rights of the transgender community.
AAP leaders voiced their concerns in Parliament as well as outside, calling the proposed amendments a setback for the community.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said the bill is a “big let-down” for the transgender community and accused the government of not doing enough for their welfare.
AAP MP Sandeep Pathak, speaking in the House, said, “Our voice will continue to rise in support of the transgender community. We are committed to building an inclusive and sensitive society. Respect, equal rights and dignity are the right of every citizen of India.”
He further questioned the intent of the government, asking, “Does the BJP government now want to humiliate transgender persons by making them stand in queues to verify their identity?” Pathak demanded that the bill be sent to a select committee after consultation with the transgender community.
Meanwhile, Parliament on Wednesday passed the bill to amend the law on protection and rights of transgender persons, with the Rajya Sabha giving its approval after it was cleared by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The amendment proposes excluding social orientations from the ambit of the statute and introduces graded punishment based on the severity of harm inflicted on transgender persons.
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