Opposition protest continues; Lok Sabah adjourned till 3 pm

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the third time Monday till 3 pm as belligerent Opposition members sought to raise Rafale, construction of a dam across Cauvery River and other issues.

As soon as the House re-convened after lunch, members from the Congress, the AIADMK and the TDP trooped into the Well, holding placards and shouting slogans.

Despite the ruckus, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan continued with the proceedings and started discussion on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016.

Seeking passage of the bill, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said the bill is complete and there was no need for more discussion.

He said the objective of the bill includes protecting interests of transgenders, defining of the term 'transgender', to give them recognition and setting up of a national transgender council.

"A long discussion has taken place on this issue. It has also gone to the parliamentary standing committee. We have included several of their suggestions," he said.

Initiating the debate on the bill, Congress member Shashi Tharoor said the bill was "flawed" and the minister should withdraw it.

"Defer consideration of the bill as it needs serious discussion. I request the minister to withdraw the bill," he said.

He said the need of the hour was a robust bill and the current bill "does not give robustness".

"We need to recognise transgenders' identity" as it goes beyond male and female, Tharoor said, adding the government has "blindly" borrowed the definition of transgenders.

"The bill also fails to define discrimination against transgenders," and there is a need to redraft certain clauses, he said.

"This bill actually supplants their rights," he said, adding his party is ready to support the bill but not this one.

B Mahtab (BJD) said there is no clarity on the term "self perceived gender identity" and "how it will be enforced".

He also said that the definition of transgenders is not complete and added that other terms such as transmen and transwomen were not defined.

Mahtab said there are several laws in the country and it was not clear how these laws including the Companies Act would be applied to transgenders.

"Adequate attention has not been given in drafting this bill," he maintained, adding the government itself has moved 27 amendments.

Supporting the bill, Supriya Sule of the NCP said the demand for JPC into the Rafale deal should be looked into to put the House in order and discuss this bill.

"I demand a relook at this bill. Take back the bill and give it more time. It is an emotional issue," she said.

A transgender commission at the national level is not enough. "We are asking for a welfare board for transgenders. They need equal rights," she said, demanding a helpline number for them.