Transgenders stage protest against Anti-Trafficking Bill

Tirupati: Transgenders, who are opposing the Centre’s ‘Trafficking Act 2018,’ staged a dharna at municipal corporation office here on Friday, demanding its withdrawal.

The transgenders holding placards resenting the Centre’s move to bring the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill raised slogans against BJP-led NDA government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for trying to pass the bill in the Rajya Sabha. 

The bill which was already approved by Lok Sabha triggered wide spread protests from various section including NGOs and transgenders demanding its withdrawal fearing that it would adversely affect them.

The transgenders don in uniform violet dress dancing and singing amidst the raising of slogans in high pitch in support of their demands drew the attention of the people passing on the busy road, gathering around the protesters adding to their strength.

They said that begging is their traditional right and any move to curtail it in the name of an act will be stoutly opposed and affirmed that the bill in no way benefit them but only curb their rights and make life difficult. 

Meanwhile, city-based NGO Women’s initiatives (WINS) president R Meera also demanded the Centre to withdraw the bill on the ground that it would hit hard the vulnerable sex workers, transgenders and migrant labourers instead of helping them to have a dignified life.

In a press release here on Friday, she said the bill in the present form is very defective and reiterated redrafting of the bill duly taking into account of the interests of targeted groups and the opinions of the NGOs championing the cause of transgenders and sex workers.