Rajya Sabha clears bill to protect transgender rights

In a significant step towards the welfare of transgender community, the Rajya Sabha on Friday passed a bill to protect their rights.

The bill provides for the creation and implementation of a comprehensive national policy to ensure the development of the transgender community.

The bill, moved by activist and Dravida Munettra Kazhagam (DMK) lawmaker Tiruchi Siva, is the first private members bill to be passed in 46 years.

The bill will now go to Lok Sabha where it will be debated and put to vote.

Tiruchi Siva, who had rallied for the bill, said he felt glad for the community.

"I am very thankful to all the members in the parliament, in the Rajya Sabha. Unprecedented again in the Rajya Sabha , in the history of parliament, 22 members participated in the debate and deliberated. And today it was passed unanimously. It is a very good signal and the transgender community in this country could be happy that the journey of a thousand miles has started," he said outside parliament.

Last month, lawmakers from almost all political parties had asked the government to take steps to bring the transgender community to the mainstream.

Congress leader, Oscar Fernandes, said there was overwhelming support for the bill when it came for discussion.

"There was a lot of debate, 22 members took part in it. There have never been so many people in the house during a private member's bill. The mood of the house was in the favour of the bill. The government found some technical difficulties with it so the ministers appealed that they would get another comprehensive bill. But the members said we won't withdraw it and the house was also not in favour of its withdrawal. The government conceded to accept the bill in the end," said Fernandes.

Last year, the Supreme Court had recognised the long marginalised transgender community as a third gender in a landmark verdict and called upon the government to ensure their equal treatment.