A delegation from AP QueerStation Arunachal, along with representatives from several Northeastern states, met Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi to raise concerns over the proposed Transgender Amendment Bill 2026.
The delegation, comprising six members from across the Northeast, said they had sought a meeting with the Minister before the Bill was introduced in Parliament but were unable to secure one despite repeated attempts.
They stated that they approached the meeting with concerns rooted in their lived experiences as transgender persons from the region.
During the interaction, the delegation raised questions about the recognition of socio-cultural transgender identities in the Northeast.
They pointed to identities such as Nupi Manbi and Nupa Manba that have some recognition, as well as others from Arunachal Pradesh—including Mumbal, Mumbar, Lapi and Shokho—which they said remain unrecognised. They expressed concern that the Bill could lead to the erasure of these identities.
They also highlighted issues faced by transgender persons who possess transgender identity cards but do not fall within the socio-cultural categories proposed under the Bill.
Concerns were further raised regarding documentation challenges, particularly for individuals whose official records—such as Aadhaar, voter ID and educational certificates—contain inconsistencies due to gender transition, especially for those who transitioned prior to existing legal frameworks.
The delegation flagged apprehensions over vague provisions related to criminalisation in the Bill, questioning the interpretation of terms such as “allure” and whether such provisions could extend to parents, support networks, and professionals including doctors, lawyers, teachers and NGOs.
They called for clear safeguards to ensure that transgender persons and those supporting them are not penalised.
Fundamental rights, including the right to life, dignity, expression and personal choice, must be protected within any legal framework, the delegation stressed.
The issue of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam was also raised.
Delegates noted that despite the 2011 Census recording over 11,000 transgender persons in the state, many were effectively excluded from the NRC process due to documentation barriers.
They questioned how transgender individuals—particularly those estranged from families—would establish lineage if similar exercises are undertaken nationwide.
Additional concerns included lack of recognition for transgender persons outside traditional socio-cultural groupings and ongoing challenges in accessing voting rights due to document mismatches.
The delegation cited cases where individuals were unable to update gender markers in official records despite repeated attempts.
The group also submitted representations from organisations including the Arunachal Pradesh Psychological Association, Human Rights Association, North East Human Rights, Oju Welfare Association and AP QueerStation, along with research conducted with Bridge India.
They highlighted ground-level challenges, including mental health crises and instances of suicide among transgender persons in the region.
According to the delegation, Rijiju advised them to seek redress through the courts, stating that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. He also indicated that he was not aware of claims that the Bill had not undergone adequate consultation.
The delegation responded that returning to litigation would be resource-intensive and time-consuming for grassroots organisations. They also raised concerns about the lack of consultation with members of the National Council of Transgender Persons, including representatives from the Northeast.
They further argued that the Bill adopts a mainland-centric framework, focusing on identities such as Hijra and Kinnar, while failing to adequately recognise indigenous and tribal transgender identities in the Northeast.
They described the proposed law as exclusionary and warned that it could have broader implications for cultural identity and representation in the region.
Following the meeting, the delegation said they felt “hurt and unheard”, adding that they had expected the Minister to take their concerns to higher authorities before the Bill proceeds further.
They concluded by calling for greater accountability, clearer legal provisions, and meaningful inclusion of transgender voices in policymaking, stressing that the issue extends beyond gender rights to questions of cultural identity, dignity and representation in the Northeast.
Also Read: Transgender Bill amendment takes a mainland lens, leaves out Northeast