“If the Bill goes through, we will immediately challenge it in the Supreme Court for going back on the rights prescribed in the NALSA judgment,” said Rachana Mudraboyina, a trans activist from Telangana, referring to the Transgender Bill tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. The Bill, which has already been passed by the Lok Sabaha faced severe criticism on several fronts, with trans activists and rights groups across the country raising their voices against several of its provisions. Why are they allowed to make these decisions?” said Abhina Aher, a trans activist, who works with the India HIV/AIDS Alliance. “When will people realise that gender is not something that is below the waist but in the mind?” said Simran Shaikh, a trans activist who is associated with the same NGO. Vicky, another activist, argued that by making begging illegal the Bill is attacking the traditions of the tans community.

Source: The Hindu January 08, 2019 20:26 UTC