Rajya Sabha passes private bill to protect rights of transgenders Friday April 24,2015

 

In a rare legislative action, a private member's bill seeking to protect the rights of transgenders was passed unanimously by voice vote in Rajya Sabha on Friday April 24,2015

The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014, moved by Tiruchi Siva (DMK) was passed after leader of the House and finance minister Arun Jaitley said it would not be proper if the House is divided on this issue as all feel in favour of the rights of transgenders.

The bill was passed with the full strength of the treasury benches, though several Opposition members were not present at the time. The bill was passed by voice vote in the presence of 19 Union ministers, including eight cabinet ministers. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh was also present.

Siva later shook hands with the senior members in the House, thanking them for supporting him in the bill's passage.