Mysuru: Demanding the repealing of the

(Protection of Rights) Bill passed by the Lok Sabha on December 17, transgenders united under the banner of the city-based Ashodaya Academy staged a

on Wednesday, and threatened to launch an indefinite hunger strike if they were not given their rights. More than 25 members of the transgender community participated in the protest.

Alleging that the bill disregarded the concerns raised by transgenders, intersex and gender nonconforming community, the protesters said that they had very little time to set things right since the bill, having been passed in the Lok Sabha was now awaiting ratification in the Rajya Sabha. The members pointed out that Parliamentarians were duty-bound to discuss provisions of such legislations with the members of the community concerned before voting on them.

Ashodaya Academy member Pranathi Prakash pointed out that the harsh provisions prescribed in the bill for begging were unwelcome. “The government has provided 5% reservation for transgender community members, but this is yet to be implemented in many areas. How will we lead our lives?”

Madhumita, a transwoman, conceded that while some of the bill’s provisions did hold out hope for the betterment of the community, felt the government’s unwillingness to consult them before framing the bill smacked of impropriety. Stating that the bill would stifle the ‘

’ culture, Madhumita said, “There are those who voluntarily seek our blessings. We respect the Anti-Trafficking Bill, which does not allow individuals below 18 to work but there are other issues that need to be corrected immediately.”

Peeved with the provisions that criminalise begging, prescribing a 10-year jail term for the offence, Madhumita said, “But there is nothing that provides alternative employment opportunities or Reservation. It is precisely because of rigid mindset and discrimination at the workplace that transgenders resort to begging.”