Parliament Budget Session 2026 Live Updates: Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026 passed in LS amid oppn criticism

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026 was passed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday introducing penalties of up to 14 years in jail for offences against transgender persons. The government led by Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar said the bill aims to protect individuals facing discrimination due to biological factors and ensure continued legal recognition. However, opposition parties strongly criticised the bill for excluding sexual orientations and self-perceived identities from its scope, arguing it undermines the right to self-identification. They also called for the legislation to be reviewed by a parliamentary committee, but their amendments were rejected before the bill was passed by voice vote.

A new amendment introduced in Parliament proposes major changes to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, including removing the right to gender self-identification recognised by the Supreme Court in the landmark National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India in 2014 and introducing medical certification for identity recognition.

Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar introduced the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, on Friday (March 13). The move has drawn criticism from transgender and LGBT+ groups across the country. Here is what to know. Click Here

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule in Lok Sabha on Tuesday questioned the priority of the Transgender Amendment Bill 2026. She argued that the bill is against the interests of the transgender community and should be sent to a select committee for detailed review.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his reference to COVID-19 in his statement to Parliament on the West Asia situation, saying he has forgotten what happened during the pandemic and the tragedies that unfolded then.

Gandhi alleged that India's foreign policy has become "Modi's personal foreign policy", which is being considered as a "universal joke".

Speaking with reporters in the Parliament House complex, Gandhi said, "If the PM is compromised, our foreign policy is compromised." Asked about reports of Pakistan being one of the intermediaries between the US-Israel and Iran, and India's stand on the West Asia crisis, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said, "Our foreign policy is PM Modi's personal foreign policy. You can see the results of this, everybody considers this a universal joke." "US President Donald Trump knows exactly what Modi can do and what Modi cannot do. If the PM is compromised, our foreign policy is compromised, it is obvious," Gandhi said. (PTI)

Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day till Tuesday morning.

The Congress, led by Rajya Sabha MP Niraj Dangi, criticised the government during discussions on the Appropriation Bill (2), 2026, accusing it of failing to tackle unemployment, rising food prices and the weakening rupee. He alleged lack of transparency in expenditure plans and “step-motherly treatment” towards non-BJP ruled states.

Dangi also flagged issues like rising gold and silver prices, LPG shortages linked to the West Asia conflict, fertiliser scarcity, and increased burden on households and small businesses. He questioned whether the ₹53 lakh crore expenditure would benefit the broader public.

Responding, BJP leader Madan Rathore defended the government, highlighting progress in technology, renewable energy, and action against Maoist terrorism, while accusing previous Congress governments of corruption. (PTI)

Exhorting Indians to be be “prepared to face the long-term impact of the West Asia war,” Prime Minister Narendra Monday addressed the Parliament during the ongoing Budget Session. He informed the House about the measures that the government has taken since the conflict in West Asia triggered a global energy crisis and called the situation “worrisome”.

Trade along the Strait of Hormuz – the conduit for a fifth of global energy supplies – came to a grinding halt after the conflict began on February 18.

Here are some key moments from his speech:

PM Modi said that the situation in West Asia is worrisome and that the crisis created by the war has left a negative impact on the world economy and people. The war has set unprecedented challenges for India too, he noted. Read