Rajya Sabha passes The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014

April 25, 2015

Rajya Sabha on 24 April 2015 unanimously passed The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014 by voice vote.
It should be noted that it was a private member’s bill moved by DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva to protect the rights of transgender persons.
It is the first private members bill to be passed in 46 years. In the past, 14 Private Members’ Bills have been passed. Now, the bill will go to the Lok Sabha for the passage.
Key features of the Bill

  • Seeks to provide framework for the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive national policy for ensuring overall development of the transgender persons and their welfare.
  • Two percent reservation in primary, secondary and higher education and in government jobs.
  • Establishment of Employment Exchange, National and State Commissions for Trasngender Persons and Special Transgender Rights Courts.
  • No child who is transgender will be separated from his or her parents on the grounds of being a transgender except on an order of competent court.
  • Penalty for hate speech against transgender persons includes imprisonment extending upto one year and with fine.

This bill will help government take necessary steps in order to ensure that transgender persons enjoy the right to life with dignity and to personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution.
It should be noted that 29 nations and leading democracies in the world including US, UK, Canada, France, Australia, Italy and Singapore have legislations protecting rights of transgender persons.

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  1. snehal bagde

    April 26, 2015 at 7:24 am

    Rajya sabha and especially MP Siva sir needs to be lauded for their efforts..protecting rights of transgenders which are a
    minority is very much required for largest democracy of world…hope it is passed in lok sabha as well.

  2. Apeksha S. Agrawal

    September 21, 2015 at 11:36 pm

    Commendable move..but the clause stating right of transgender child should be more exhaustive. The duties of parents needed to be given more emphasis, as parents are not willing to accept the reality of child in most cases.

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