March 29, 2026 (IMP): Trans community organisations in Manipur gathered as one and marched in a protest rally in unison against the Transgender Amendment Bill 2026 from Imphal’s Mao Market, led by the All Manipur Nupi Maanbi Association (AMANA), Empowering Trans Ability (ETA), and the All Trans Men Association (ATMA).
In one voice, the transgender community showed stiff opposition to the Transgender Bill passed by voice vote in the Lok Sabha amid a walkout by Opposition MPs on Tuesday (March 24, 2026). The protest in Imphal is also planned to stage a sit-in at Keishampat.
The amendment narrows the definition of a “transgender person” to include only specific socio-cultural identities (such as hijra, kinner, aravani, jogta) or those with specified intersex/congenital biological variations.
Removal of Certain Categories: The definition effectively excludes trans men, trans women, and gender-queer individuals who do not fit into the specified socio-cultural or medical categories. It also introduces stricter penalties (up to life imprisonment) for offenses such as forced labour or kidnapping to compel a person to assume a transgender identity.
