Press Release: On NALSA - National Transgender Rights Day - 200 activists Write to CM; Call for Assembly Resolution against the Transgender Amendment Act, 2026
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The Press Release and Full Text of Letter to CM with all signatories is also attached as Word and PDF Docs
PRESS RELEASE
On the Occasion of NALSA – National Transgender Rights Day
200+ transgender rights, social activists from across India write to CM, Telangana
Call for Assembly Resolution against the Transgender Amendment Act, 2026
15th April, 2026: Marking the day of social justice - Ambedkar Jayanti (14th April) and the historic day when the Supreme Court delivered the NALSA Judgement (15th April, 2014); over 200 transgender rights and social activists from across Telangana and India wrote a detailed letter to the Chief Minister of Telangana, urging him to immediately pass a Resolution in the State Legislature against the regressive Transgender Amendment Act, 2026, that violates the constitutional rights of lakhs of transgender and gender-diverse persons. The signatories also appealed that Telangana Govt must hold back on operationalizing the amended Act in the state and continue to uphold rights as per the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and SC’s NALSA Judgement (2014).
The letter stated that the 2026 Amendment Act poses a significant threat to the rights and protection of transgender persons and gender-diverse persons, including loss of legal recognition, exclusion from welfare entitlements, denial of healthcare, loss of employment and livelihoods, and withdrawal of protections under criminal law. As the Government of Telangana has consistently reiterated its commitment to social justice and inclusive governance, it has a duty to protect transgender persons in the state from serious harms that the new Act would cause. Please see the enclosed document for the detailed letter to the CM.
The petition to the CM has been signed by all the transgender rights activists who were nominated to the Transgender Welfare Board constituted by the then state government on 19th Aug, 2022 and 15th Nov, 2022. These members are: Vyjayanti Vasanta Mogli, Kiran Raj Gollapalli, Rachana Mudraboyina, Tashi Choedup, Laila Oruganti, Meera Sanghamitra, Mukunda Mala (Queer Bandhu Parents Association), Rapeti Jasmine (Trans Equality Society), Kiran Nayak B (Society for Transmen Action and Rights).
Some of the other key signatories to the petition include:
Ø Telangana Transgender Rights Activists: Chandramukhi, Priya Murti, Vasavi, Premleela, Samantha, Laxmikanth, Hellen and many other transgender rights activists.
Ø Feminist & Queer Rights Activists: Rukmini Rao, K. Sajaya, V. Sandhya, A. Suneetha, Kaneez Fatima, Grace Banu, Vihaan Vee, Chayanika Shah, Tejaswini M, Bhanumati, Sunita Lakra, Sagari Ramdas, Vibhuti Patel, Ritash, Nandini Rao, Abha Bhaiya, Smriti.
Ø Social, Environmental, Farmers Rights Activists: Varghese Theckanath, Kiran Vissa, Ravi Kanneganti, Nikita Naidu, P. Shankar, John Micheal, Prasad Chacko.
Ø Lawyers & Law Students: Adv Mrinalini, Adv Shraddha H, Adv Afsar Jahan, Adv Mandakini, Adv Prakhya, Adv Raja Chandra, Auronisha Roy, Ananya.
Ø Academics: Prof. Sowmya Dechamma, Dr. J. Devika, Prof. Durga Bhavani, Prof. (Retd) Susie Tharu, Dr. Gabriele Dietrich.
The signatories condemned the haste with which the Union Govt passed the Central Act, within two weeks, despite resistance by many opposition MPs, transgender persons across the country and even members of the National Council for Transgender Persons, two of who resigned in protest. The Union Govt did not even heed to the advice of the Supreme Court appointed Advisory Committee (in Jane Kaushik vs. UoI) to not pass the Bill and refer it to a departmental Standing Committee and hold wide ranging consultations with transgender communities.
The 2026 Amendment Act replaces the right to self-perceived gender identity, which was recognized as a fundamental right under Article 21 by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in NALSA v. Union of India (2014) 5 SCC 438, with a regime of medical certification and administrative verification. This legislation has a multitude of built-in retrospective references that cause enormous anxiety and uncertainty over the fate of the 32,000 transgender certificates issued under the 2019 Act. The Amendment Act violates fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21.
The letter highlighted how the State Governments were not consulted despite the Amendments covering many state and concurrent list entries, thus violating the principles of federalism and co-operative governance. The letter said that the State Assembly has passed multiple Resolutions in the past against Central laws, including the recent resolution against VBGRAMG Act and hence the CM must earnestly ensure a Resolution against the Transgender Amendment Act, 2026 is also passed at the earliest.
The signatories also strongly urged the State Government to refrain from operationalizing the Amendment Act within Telangana, as Rules have not yet been notified by the Central Government. More importantly, the constitutionality of the Amendment Act is being challenged before multiple higher courts, including the Supreme Court, as well as Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala and other High Courts. Thus, the Amendment Act should not be implemented by the state government, until the constitutional questions before the courts are authoritatively determined.
The CM was also requested to instruct officials to continue issuing all pending applications for IDs under the 2019 Act. In Telangana, out of 2824 applicants for transgender certificate and ID card, 2013 cards were issued and 811 are pending. The state government can also provide fresh state-level IDs as is happening in many other states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
It was also urged that the state government must continue all health-related services, livelihoods and jobs should be secured and increased (not discontinued) and welfare programs must be extended to all transgender persons. The CM was implored to declare an inclusive and comprehensive Transgender Policy in line with the NALSA Judgement and Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019; process for which already began in 2025 and needs to be taken forward.
Notably, many of these concerns were also conveyed to Ms. Meenakshi Natarajan (AICC Telangana In charge) in-person on 14th April and she assured to take up the same with the CM. The signatories hope the Govt of Telangana would take a firm public, legislative and administrative position against the Amendment Act of 2026 and uphold the rights, dignity, privacy and welfare of transgender and gender diverse persons across Telangana.
Issued by: Transgender Rights Activists and Social Activists from Telangana and across India
Contact: 9618106188 / 9885567958 / 8978599921 / 9972203841 / 7337478993
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14th April, 2026
To,
Shri Revanth Reddy,
The Chief Minister,
Government of Telangana.
Hyderabad
Sub: Appeal for a State Assembly Resolution recording objections to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026 - Provision and maintenance of Status Quo Ante conditions prevailing between 25th September, 2020 and 12th March, 2026 before the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026
Sir,
The undersigned, comprising members of civil society and concerned citizens, address this letter to bring to the attention of the State Government two matters of constitutional significance arising from the enactment of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026 ("Amendment Act"), which received Presidential assent on 30th March 2026.
The Act in question poses a significant threat to the rights and
protection of Transgender Persons and Gender-Diverse Persons, including loss of
legal recognition, exclusion from welfare entitlements, denial of healthcare,
and withdrawal of protections under criminal law. The Government of Telangana
has consistently reiterated its commitment to social justice and inclusive
governance. We therefore call upon the State of Telangana to take action on the
following constitutional exigencies:
1. Assembly Resolution recording the State’s opposition to the Amendment Act:
The subject matter of the Amendment Act engages several entries in the State
and the Concurrent Lists (Lists II and III respectively) of the Seventh
Schedule to the Constitution. The administration of public order and police,
public health, welfare schemes, issuance of identity documentation, delivery of
healthcare, and enforcement of protections for transgender persons are
functions discharged principally by State Governments. Legislation on a
concurrent list or a State list subject that directly affects State-level
administration must, as a matter of constitutional propriety, be preceded by
consultation with and consent of the States.
The Amendment Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 13th March, 2026
without any prior consultation with the states and received the assent of both
Houses by 25th March, 2026. The National Council for Transgender
Persons, a statutory body constituted under the parent Transgender Persons
(Protection of Rights) Act of 2019, was not consulted. Two of its members
resigned in protest following the passage of the Bill. The said bill was
also rammed through Parliament despite very clear advice of the Supreme Court
appointed Advisory Committee to the Government of India to immediately refer it
to a departmental Standing Committee and to hold wide ranging
consultations with transgender communities thereafter. The speed of the
enactment and the absence of consultation are matters that the Hon’ble State
Assembly is entitled to place on record through a formal resolution.
There are multiple precedents for such action. The Telangana Legislative Assembly passed a resolution opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act, National Population Register and the National Registry of Citizenship in March 2020. It passed a resolution opposing population-based delimitation in March 2025. In January 2026, it passed a resolution opposing the Government of India's move to repeal MGNREGA Act with VB G RAM G Act. A resolution on the present issue would formally record the State’s objection to the Centre’s failure to consult State Governments on legislation that implicates concurrent list subjects; reaffirm the principles of federalism and cooperative governance; and lend institutional weight to the growing body of democratic concern regarding the legitimacy and constitutionality of the Amendment Act.
2. Measures to hold back on operationalization of the Amendment Act
We urge the State Government to refrain from taking any steps to operationalize the Amendment Act within Telangana. First, the Rules under the amended Act have not yet been notified by the Central Government. More importantly, the constitutionality of the Amendment Act is being challenged before multiple constitutional courts. A writ petition under Article 32 has been filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court contending that the Act inflicts irreparable constitutional injury to fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21. The Hon’ble Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Union of India on two petitions challenging the Act. The Hon’ble Kerala High Court has also admitted a petition. There is also a constitutional challenge filed in the High Court of Karnataka too against this Amendment Act 2026.
The constitutional infirmities of this legislation are substantial. The Amendment Act replaces the right to self-perceived gender identity, which was recognized as a fundamental right under Article 21 by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in NALSA v. Union of India (2014) 5 SCC 438, with a regime of medical certification and administrative verification. This legislation has a multitude of built-in retrospective references that cause enormous anxiety and uncertainty over the fate of the 32,000 transgender certificates issued under the 2019 Act, without any transitional provision, grace period, or mechanism for redress.
The State of Telangana has had 2824 applicants apply for their transgender certificate and ID card. Of these, 2013 cards were issued and 811 are pending. The Act also conflicts with the fundamental right to privacy. In these circumstances, operationalization of the Amendment Act at the State level would expose transgender persons in Telangana to immediate and irreversible harm, including loss of legal recognition, exclusion from welfare entitlements, denial of healthcare, and withdrawal of protections under criminal law. Prudent governance requires that the State Government withhold implementation until the constitutional questions presently before the courts are authoritatively determined.
In light of the foregoing, the undersigned respectfully call upon the Hon’ble Chief Minister to:
- Convene the Telangana Legislative Assembly at the earliest opportunity to pass a resolution opposing the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026, and recording the State’s objection to the failure of the Central Government to consult State Governments before its enactment;
- Direct all State authorities, departments, and agencies to hold back on any steps towards operationalization of the said Amendment Act until the constitutional challenges pending before the Hon’ble Supreme Court and the High Courts are adjudicated.
- Enjoin upon all State authorities, departments, and agencies concerned to process all the pending 811 applications for transgender certificates and ID cards, forbid them from not accepting or refusing to accept fresh applications and publish status at every stage.
- Instruct the Secretary, Department Women, Children, Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens and Transgender Persons and the Director, Department for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwD), Senior Citizens and Transgender Persons to hold widespread community consultations with Telangana state based transgender Community Based Organizations (CBOs), activists, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) across all the thirty-three (33) districts and transgender identities to:
i. Issue appropriate Government Orders (G.Os) to offer separate Telangana State issued transgender certificates and ID cards for transgender persons of Telangana. Such separate state government issued transgender certificates and ID cards are already being issued since many years in the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
ii. Draft and submit:
- Rules to implement the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019
- An inclusive and comprehensive Transgender Policy in line with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019
- Mandate the Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare, Director of Medical Education, Osmania General Hospital and all government hospitals of the State of Telangana to continue provision of all healthcare services and gender affirmation procedures to transgender persons in line with the NALSA vs UoI, Devu G. Nair vs. State of Kerala, Jane Kaushik vs. UoI judgements of the Supreme Court of India and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and the WPATH guidelines.
- Stipulate that all State authorities, departments, and agencies must continue welfare programs and schemes to empower transgender persons in line with the NALSA vs UoI, Devu G. Nair vs. State of Kerala, Jane Kaushik vs. UoI judgements of the Supreme Court of India and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
Looking forward to firm and far action from your end.
Sincerely,
Over 220 + Signatories from across Telangana and India, including transgender rights activists who were nominated to the Transgender Welfare Board constituted by the state government on 19th Aug, 2022 and 15th Nov, 2022. These members are: Vyjayanti Vasanta Mogli, Kiran Raj Gollapalli, Rachana Mudraboyina, Tashi Choedup, Laila Oruganti, Sabeera Baksh, Meera Sanghamitra, Mukunda Mala (Queer Bandhu Parents Association), Rapeti Jasmine (Trans Equality Society), Society for Transmen Action and Rights (Kiran Nayak B) – Kindly see below for full list of signatories
Encl: RTI response from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India even for applications filed much before the Amendment Act, 2026
తేదీ: 14.04.2026
శ్రీ రేవంత్ రెడ్డి గారికి, ,
గౌరవనీయులైన ముఖ్యమంత్రి
తెలంగాణ రాష్ట్రం
హైదరాబాద్
విషయం: ట్రాన్స్జెండర్ వ్యక్తుల (హక్కుల రక్షణ) సవరణ చట్టం, 2020కి అభ్యంతరాలను నమోదు చేస్తూ రాష్ట్ర శాసనసభ తీర్మానం కోసం విజ్ఞప్తి - ట్రాన్స్జెండర్ వ్యక్తుల (హక్కుల పరిరక్షణ) సవరణ చట్టం, 2026కు ముందు, 25 సెప్టెంబర్, 2020 మరియు 12 మార్చి, 2026 మధ్య అమలులో ఉన్న యథాతథ స్థితి పరిస్థితుల ఏర్పాటు మరియు నిర్వహణ
అయ్యా,
పౌర సమాజ సభ్యులు మరియు ఆసక్తిగల పౌరులతో కూడిన మేము, 30 మార్చి 2026న రాష్ట్రపతి ఆమోదం పొందిన ట్రాన్స్జెండర్ వ్యక్తుల (హక్కుల రక్షణ) సవరణ చట్టం, 2026 ("సవరణ చట్టం") అమలు నుండి వెలువడిన రాజ్యాంగ ప్రాముఖ్యత కలిగిన రెండు విషయాలను రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వ దృష్టికి తీసుకురావడానికి ఈ లేఖను వ్రాస్తున్నాము..
ఈ చట్టం ట్రాన్స్జెండర్ వ్యక్తులు మరియు జెండర్ వైవిధ్య వ్యక్తుల హక్కులకు, రక్షణకు తీవ్రమైన ముప్పును కలిగిస్తుంది. ఇందులో భాగంగా చట్టపరమైన గుర్తింపును కోల్పోవడం, సంక్షేమ పథకాల నుండి మినహాయింపు, ఆరోగ్య సంరక్షణ నిరాకరణ, మరియు క్రిమినల్ చట్టం కింద రక్షణలను ఉపసంహరించుకోవడం వంటివి ఉన్నాయి. తెలంగాణ ప్రభుత్వం సామాజిక న్యాయం మరియు సమ్మిళిత పాలన పట్ల తన నిబద్ధతను నిరంతరం పునరుద్ఘాటిస్తూనే ఉంది. అందువల్ల, ఈ క్రింది రాజ్యాంగపరమైన అత్యవసరాలపై చర్యలు తీసుకోవాలని మేము తెలంగాణ రాష్ట్రాన్ని కోరుతున్నాము:
1. సవరణ చట్టానికి రాష్ట్ర వ్యతిరేకతను నమోదు చేసే తీర్మానం
సవరణ చట్టం యొక్క ప్రధానాంశం రాజ్యాంగంలోని ఏడవ షెడ్యూల్లో ఉన్న రాష్ట్ర జాబితా (State List - List II) మరియు ఉమ్మడి జాబితా (Concurrent List - List III) లోని అనేక అంశాలతో ముడిపడి ఉంది. శాంతిభద్రతల నిర్వహణ మరియు పోలీసు వ్యవస్థ, ప్రజారోగ్యం, సంక్షేమ పథకాలు, గుర్తింపు పత్రాల జారీ, ఆరోగ్య సేవలను అందించడం మరియు ట్రాన్స్జెండర్ వ్యక్తుల రక్షణను అమలు చేయడం వంటి విధులను ప్రధానంగా రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వాలే నిర్వర్తిస్తాయి. రాజ్యాంగబద్ధమైన మర్యాద మరియు ఔచిత్యము ప్రకారం, ఉమ్మడి జాబితా (Concurrent List) లేదా రాష్ట్ర జాబితా (State List) అంశాలపై రాష్ట్ర స్థాయి పరిపాలనను నేరుగా ప్రభావితం చేసే చట్టాన్ని రూపొందించే ముందు, తప్పనిసరిగా రాష్ట్రాలతో జరపాలి సంప్రదింపులు మరియు వారి అంగీకారం ఉండాలి..
రాష్ట్రాలతో ఎలాంటి ముందస్తు సంప్రదింపులు జరపకుండానే, ఈ సవరణ బిల్లును 13 మార్చి 2026న లోక్సభలో ప్రవేశపెట్టగా, 25 మార్చి 2026 నాటికి ఉభయ సభల ఆమోదం పొందింది. మాతృ చట్టం అయిన 'ట్రాన్స్జెండర్ వ్యక్తుల (హక్కుల రక్షణ) చట్టం 2019' కింద ఏర్పాటు చేయబడిన చట్టబద్ధమైన సంస్థ 'ట్రాన్స్జెండర్ వ్యక్తుల జాతీయ మండలి'ని సంప్రదించలేదు. ఈ ముసాయిదా బిల్లు ఆమోదం పొందిన తరువాత , ట్రాన్స్జెండర్ వ్యక్తుల జాతీయ మండలిలోని ఇద్దరు సభ్యులు నిరసనగా రాజీనామా చేశారు. అంతేకాకుండా, ఈ బిల్లును తక్షణమే ఒక శాఖాపరమైన స్థాయీ కమిటీకి నివేదించాలని, ఆ తరువాత ట్రాన్స్జెండర్ వర్గాలతో విస్తృత సంప్రదింపులు జరపాలని భారత ప్రభుత్వానికి సుప్రీంకోర్టు నియమించిన సలహా బృందం (అడ్వైసరీ కమిటీ) చాలా స్పష్టంగా సలహా ఇచ్చినప్పటికీ, దీనిని మెరుపు వేగంతో పార్లమెంటులో ఆమోదింపజేశారు. ఈ చట్టాన్ని ఆమోదించిన వేగం, సంప్రదింపులు జరపకపోవడం వంటి విషయాలను