India's parliament has amended the country's transgender law, introducing penalties for forcing someone to assume a transgender identity through surgical, chemical, or hormonal procedures. The changes aim to better protect vulnerable groups by strengthening penalties for exploitation, forced identity, and trafficking. However, activists and doctors argue that the amendment has created uncertainty for thousands of people, particularly those seeking safe medical care.
Transgender individuals, like Kali Sidharth Medepalli, have been affected by the amendment. Kali, a 23-year-old communications specialist and LGBTQ rights activist, began hormone replacement therapy earlier this year but had her treatment disrupted when the clinic stopped her medicines due to the amendment. She experienced hot flushes and body aches and was forced to self-medicate. The lack of clarity has led to fear and uncertainty among the healthcare system, with doctors facing a choice between continuing treatment and risking legal action or refusing care and conflicting with their medical responsibilities.
The amendment has also affected transgender identity certification. Bhukya Ahalya, 21, who transitioned in 2025, is struggling to update her identity documents, which still identify her as a man. She wants regular employment but has been forced to survive by begging at traffic signals. The government website for applying for a transgender identity card has not functioned since the amendment came into force, adding an extra layer of scrutiny to the process.
The uncertainty over the amendment has significant implications for the transgender community. There are no official figures for how many transgender people receive gender-affirming healthcare in India, making it difficult to assess the scale of the disruption. Human rights groups and experts estimate that the actual transgender population in India is between five and six million people, far exceeding the 488,000 recorded in the 2011 Census.
Some private clinics have continued to provide treatment but are taking extra precautions, including additional paperwork, consent forms, and charging patients more. However, this approach may not be accessible to everyone, particularly those without supportive families, established doctors, or financial resources. Mumbai-based Meghna Kulkarni, who supports her child's transition, said the amendment "immediately rang danger bells," but they had a support network to rely on.
The amendment is being challenged in the Supreme Court, with petitioners citing constitutional protections, including dignity, autonomy, and privacy, as well as the right to self-identification. The government has not provided clarification on the amendment, its rules, or the identity-card portal, leaving many questions unanswered. For Kali and others like her, the carefully planned medical transition has become uncertain, and the future is unclear.
The situation highlights the need for clear guidelines and regulations to ensure that the rights of transgender individuals are protected. The amendment's impact on the transgender community will continue to be felt until the uncertainty is resolved. Key stakeholders, including the government, healthcare providers, and activists, must work together to address the challenges and ensure that transgender individuals receive the care and support they need.
Key points
- The amendment has created uncertainty and fear among the transgender community, affecting medical care and identity certification.
- The lack of clarity has led to fear and uncertainty among the healthcare system, with doctors facing a choice between continuing treatment and risking legal action or refusing care and conflicting with their medical responsibilities.
- The amendment is being challenged in the Supreme Court, with petitioners citing constitutional protections, including dignity, autonomy, and privacy, as well as the right to self-identification.
