Transgender communities across India have launched protests and awareness meetings against the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026. According to a report by The Hindu, demonstrations and discussions have taken place in cities such as New Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad and Kolkata, with activists urging the government to withdraw the Bill and protect the right to self-perceived gender identity.

Protests and campaigns across cities

Student groups, activists and members of the transgender community have held protests and meetings in several cities. Civil society groups, lawyers, doctors and professionals in Guwahati, Chennai, Varanasi and Bengaluru are also planning campaigns, including writing to Members of Parliament, organising awareness meetings and building support to oppose the proposed legislation.

An online petition demanding withdrawal of the Bill has also been started and had gathered more than 13,000 signatures as of Monday evening. Meanwhile, a Students’ Federation of India-led protest in New Delhi submitted a memorandum to Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar seeking the Bill’s withdrawal.

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Activists cite Supreme Court judgement

The amendment Bill was introduced by Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar and proposes major changes to the 2019 transgender law. Activists argue that the amendments contradict the landmark 2014 NALSA judgement, where the Supreme Court recognised the right to self-identify gender as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Devansh, a transman who spoke at a press conference, said, “After a long fight, in 2014, the government gave us recognition. With that recognition we moved ahead with our lives and took important decisions. After 12 years, if you stop recognising us, where are we supposed to go now?”

Open letter to PM and concerns raised

In Karnataka, members of the transgender community under the Karnataka State Gender and Sexuality Minorities Coalition issued an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing the amendment Bill. The letter stated, “Passing this amendment will put in jeopardy the rights of thousands and millions of persons who are currently recognised as transgender,” adding that the proposed law would reduce rather than expand rights.

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Activists at a press conference in New Delhi also raised concerns about provisions in the Bill. Queer activist Krishanu said the amendment “misconstrues the ideas of what transgender and intersex bodies look like”. Transwoman Ritu added, “I don’t have to be part of a gharana or community to be trans. These structures were built because society had no other place for us.”

Activists and community leaders across India continue to organise protests, petitions and awareness campaigns, urging the government to withdraw the amendment and protect the right to gender self-identification.