Amendment bill passed in Lok Sabha, now identity will not be available without ‘medical test’; After all, why is there huge protest?: – ..

New Delhi: The Central Government has taken a major legislative step regarding the identity and rights of the transgender community in the country. Lok Sabha today ‘Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026’ Permission has been granted. This new bill makes significant changes to the original Act of 2019. While on one hand the government is calling it an attempt to stop fraud, on the other hand transgender community and human rights activists have taken to the streets considering it an attack on their right to privacy and identity.

2019 vs 2026: Did the rule of identity change?

Under the 2019 Act, any person had the right to declare themselves as transgender of their own free will, on the basis of which the District Magistrate (DM) would issue a certificate. But the new amendment of 2026 has reversed this process:

Mandatory Medical Test: Now the system of self-declaration has been abolished. Now any person will get a transgender certificate only if he passes a prescribed ‘medical test’.

Power of DM: Now the District Magistrate will be able to issue the certificate only on the basis of the report of the Medical Board.

Why is the transgender community opposing this bill?

The biggest reason for protest against this bill is the loss of the right to ‘Self-ID’. The protesters argue that:

identity crisis: The definition of transgender has been limited in the bill. Due to this, many people who consider themselves part of this community may fall out of the legal category.

Abusive Process: People of the community are considering medical tests as against their dignity and privacy.

Provision of punishment: There is a provision for strict punishment for forcibly converting people into transgenders, but the community says that the law is silent on their real problems.

Violation of Supreme Court’s ‘NALSA’ decision?

Legal experts believe that this amendment bill will be a historic step for the Supreme Court. ‘NALSA vs. Union of India (2014)’ It may go against the decision. The Supreme Court had clearly said that deciding one’s gender identity is a fundamental rights And there should be no need for any kind of medical examination for this. The government’s new bill is surrounded by controversies on this point.

Stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata echoed in Parliament

During the discussion on the bill, the MPs referred to the glorious history of the transgender community in Indian culture and mythology:

Blessing of Lord Rama: TDP MP Dr. B. Shabari narrated a touching story of Ramayana. He told that while going into exile, Ram had asked men and women to return, but the people of Kinnar community stood on the banks of Saryu for 14 years because they did not fall in either of these categories. Pleased with this, Ram gave him the boon of blessing everyone.

Ardhanarishvara and Brihannala: The MPs described this community as revered by mentioning the ‘Ardhanarishwar’ form of Lord Shiva and the ‘Brihannala’ form of Arjuna in the Mahabharata.

Mohini incarnation of Vishnu: Congress MP Gowal Padvi mentioned the story of churning of the ocean and ‘Mohini’ incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He demanded that there should be a direct dialogue with the transgender community to further strengthen the law.