New Delhi, March 24, 2026 — Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday strongly condemned the Centre's proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, describing it as a "brazen attack" on the constitutional rights and identity of transgender people.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi said the "regressive bill" strips transgender individuals of their ability to self-identify their gender — a right upheld by the Supreme Court's 2014 NALSA judgment — while erasing the diverse cultural identities of transgender communities across India. He further alleged that the legislation forces transgender persons to undergo "dehumanising examinations" by medical boards and introduces criminal penalties and surveillance without adequate safeguards.
"The BJP government's Transgender Persons Amendment Bill is a brazen attack on the Constitutional rights and identity of transgender people," Gandhi wrote. He asserted that the Congress party stands firmly with the rights and dignity of transgender persons and will oppose the Bill in Parliament.
The criticism came hours after a delegation of transgender activists from across the country met Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The activists expressed strong opposition to the proposed amendments, arguing that they undermine self-identification, dilute existing protections, and subject the community to invasive bureaucratic and medical oversight. They warned that the Bill could strip legal recognition from lakhs of transgender individuals, including members of historically recognized communities.
Gandhi assured the delegation of the Congress party's unequivocal support, stating that the party would resist the legislation in Parliament.
# Widespread Criticism of the Bill
The Amendment Bill has drawn sharp backlash from various quarters, including opposition parties, activists, legal experts, and student groups. Critics argue it rolls back protections established under the 2019 Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act and contradicts the Supreme Court's recognition of self-perceived gender identity.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called the proposal "deeply regressive," while Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien labelled it "draconian." The CPI(M) described the amendments as a violation of constitutional guarantees and a negation of the NALSA verdict's principle of gender self-determination. Over 40 student organisations from law schools across India have also issued a joint statement opposing the Bill, citing concerns over self-identification, lack of stakeholder consultation, and potential exclusion of vulnerable sections.
Some activists have threatened to resign from government panels if the Bill is not reconsidered, highlighting fears that it could lead to increased surveillance, mandatory certifications, and erosion of privacy and dignity for the community.
The government has not yet issued a detailed response to the latest round of criticism. The Bill is expected to be discussed during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament.
This development comes amid broader debates on minority rights and constitutional protections in India, with the transgender community — estimated to number several lakhs — continuing to advocate for inclusive policies that respect self-identification and cultural diversity.
The Congress party has positioned its opposition as part of a larger commitment to safeguarding the rights of marginalised groups against what it calls regressive policies by the BJP-led government.
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