New Delhi- In a significant escalation of opposition, the Joint Action Committee on Transgender and LGBTIQ+ Rights, Keralam, along with national collectives and community organisations, has formally condemned the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026. The organisers addressed their concerns in a press conference held at Press Club of India on March 26. Describing the proposed legislation as “regressive, exclusionary, and unconstitutional,” the coalition has warned that the Bill will lead to the legal erasure of a large section of the community and create a widespread human crisis.

The opposition centers on the Bill’s removal of the right to self-perceived gender identity—a key principle upheld by the Supreme Court’s landmark 2014 NALSA judgment. The proposed legislation would transfer the authority to determine gender identity from the individual to state-appointed medical boards, introducing what activists describe as invasive certification processes and bureaucratic gatekeeping.

“This directly violates the principles of dignity, autonomy, and privacy upheld by the Supreme Court,” the Committee stated in a press release. “It also goes against international scientific consensus and evidence-based medical practices.”

The Bill also seeks to narrow the legal definition of “Transgender Person” to specific socio-cultural identities, which critics argue would exclude and effectively erase the majority of the community. The exclusion would impact trans men, transmasculine persons, non-binary and genderqueer persons, as well as trans women whose identities do not conform to the restrictive new categories.

The Joint Action Committee noted that these changes have been introduced “without adequate study, credible data, or meaningful consultation with stakeholders, including the National Council for Transgender Persons.”

Vague Penal Provisions and Rising Distress

Another major source of alarm is the introduction of vague penal provisions within the Bill. Activists fear these clauses are open to misuse and could be weaponized against activists, healthcare providers, educators, and even the families of transgender individuals. The Bill has also been criticized for failing to address long-standing demands for substantive equality, instead removing existing safeguards related to healthcare, employment, and housing.

The impact of the proposed changes is already manifesting as a mental health crisis within the community. According to the Committee, reports from across states indicate rising levels of anxiety, distress, and fear, with many individuals experiencing existential crises and a heightened risk of self-harm and suicidality.

As the first state to adopt a Transgender Policy in 2015, Keralam has implemented a range of welfare initiatives that have enabled transgender persons to move from social exclusion to dignity and participation in public life. The Committee warned that restricting identity recognition at the national level will directly undermine access to these welfare systems and reverse years of progress.

In response to the Bill, the Joint Action Committee has already initiated a series of coordinated actions. Protest gatherings have taken place in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Kozhikode. The Committee has also undertaken advocacy efforts by reaching out to Members of Parliament from across the nation, as well as engaging with major political leaders across party lines.

Looking ahead, the coalition has outlined a comprehensive plan of action, including:

• Convening a state-level convention in Keralam to strategize advocacy.

• Initiating a legal consultation process to examine constitutional challenges and explore judicial intervention.

• Strengthening national alliances with queer, feminist, and human rights organizations.

• Organizing further peaceful protests and mobilizations at the state and national levels.

The Committee’s key demands include:

• Immediate withdrawal of the Amendment Bill, 2026, in its current form.

• Retention of the inclusive definition of “transgender person” as provided in the 2019 Act and derived from the 2014 NALSA judgment.

• Restoration of the right to self-identification of gender, without mandatory medical certification.

• Removal of vague penal provisions, including those criminalizing “influencing someone to become transgender.”

• Introduction of affirmative welfare measures, including reservations in education and public employment, access to safe housing, and inclusive healthcare.

The Joint Action Committee framed the current political moment as a pivotal test for the nation’s constitutional values.

“This is not merely a legislative amendment- it is a question of whether transgender persons will continue to exist as equal citizens under the Constitution,” the Committee stated. “India has made important progress over the past decade. This Bill risks taking us back to a time when identities were controlled, denied, and marginalised.”