Seeking immediate steps to withdraw the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2018 and table it again with appropriate amendments, members of the Transgenders community took out a protest march in Hubblali on Monday.
Beginning from the Ambedkar’s statue near the Head Post Office, the protestors marched to Kittur Chennamma Circle raising slogans to highlight their demands.
They said that the Bill as passed by Lok Sabha on December 17, 2018, claimed to provide for protection of rights of transgenders and their welfare. However, instead of addressing the daily oppressions and indignities faced by the transgenders, the Bill would adversely affect them and would rather further institutionalise violations, they said.
The protestors said that while the new definition of the word transgender was a welcome move in the new Bill, there were several points that were against the community and provided solid grounds for withdrawal of the Bill.
They said that the recommendations of the standing committee of Parliament and comments and suggestions of the transgenders had been completely neglected. Also, the Bill violated the right to equality and other fundamental rights of transgenders community, they said.
They said that considering various aspects they would urge all members of Parliament to suitably review the 2018 Bill and modify it based on the comments and suggestions submitted by transgenders to the parliamentary standing committee and table the Bill again. They said that they would also urge the Chairman of Rajya Sabha to refer the Human Trafficking Bill to the Select Committee.
A memorandum was submitted to the taluk administration subsequently. The agitation was held under the aegis of National Network of Sex Workers, Samar Society and Sangama of Bengaluru.
