The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill was passed in the Lok sabha on Monday, amid protests and interruptions over Rafale jet deal. The Bill, which has been reintroduced in the lower house for the third time after adopting 27 changes, was not welcomed by several members of the Opposition.
The Bill was introduced after a private member's bill by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva was passed by the Rajya Sabha, and was then sent to a standing committee, which listed as many as 12 changes. The government reintroduced the Bill after adopting nine changes, sent it to a committee again. The revised Bill does not decriminalise homosexuality and also does not include reservation for transgenders.
CPI(M) MP Badaruddoza Khan demanded reservation while BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab said that the definition of transgender is ambiguous. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said the Bill needs as many as 41 changes in its present form.
