New Delhi: Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur supported the rights of Transgender community in the Parliament today. Speaking on the private member bill, Thakur said, “Transgender persons have existed in every culture, race and class since the story of human life has been recorded. Yet, India’s transgender community continues to face a plethora of problems. They suffer a whole lot of mental, physical and sexual oppression in society. The health and well-being of transgender persons suffer great harm by attitudes of intolerance and hatred towards diverse gender expressions.”
Anurag expressed respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy, including the freedom to make one’s own choices and independence of persons; non-discrimination; equality of opportunity; full and effective participation and inclusion in society; and respect for difference and acceptance of transgender persons as part of human diversity and humanity.
Hamirpur parliamentarian said, “If a transgender person is insulted and goes to the Police, no case is registered. They don’t have any recourse to justice through the Police or the law. They are sidelined and treated as untouchables. However, in a landmark judgment was pronounced in April, 2014 by the Supreme Court of India that provided for legal recognition of third gender apart from male and female. The government has taken several steps in terms of committee formation and releasing guidelines for various schemes for Transgenders but faster steps needs to be taken to unshackle the atrocities of centuries.”
Anurag also spoke about the values of Preamble and Fundamental rights enshrined by the constitution but numerous stories prevalent in Hindu mythology. Requesting for immediate action, Thakur said, “This is not a journey to achieve any political mileage. This is a social concern; this is our concern for a fellow person. When we see how our fellow Indians are being treated, the kind of indignity meted out to them by the society, any individual is moved. But someone outside may have sympathy, but an august House like this, which legislates law for the improvement and upliftment of the people in the country, alone can change the scenario.”
