The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 by a voice vote, without any amendments. The Bill was moved in the Upper House by the minister for social justice Thaawarchand Gehlot, is aimed at protecting the rights of transgender persons by granting them recognition and making welfare provision for them

It prohibits discrimination against a transgender person, including denial of service or unfair treatment in relation to (i) education; (ii) employment; (iii) healthcare; (iv) access to, or enjoyment of goods, facilities, opportunities available to the public; (v) right to movement; (vi) right to reside, rent, or otherwise occupy property; (vii) opportunity to hold public or private office; and (viii) access to a government or private establishment in whose care or custody a transgender person is.

 The bill, which was introduced in Lok Sabha on July 19, 2019, by Gehlot, was passed in August.