Even after five years of enactment of law only 11 states/UTs have set up transgender protection cells. (Representative Image) NEW DELHI: When the law to protect the rights of transgender persons was enacted in 2019 and the rules notified in 2020, it was seen as a critical step towards stepping up deterrence against discrimination. Five years on, merely 11 states and UTs have set up Transgender Protection Cells — seen as a crucial legal mechanism to monitor cases and ensure timely registration, investigation and prosecution in offences involving the community.
As of now the only official govt data available for transgender persons is Census 2011 that puts the number of those who identified as “other” at over 4.87 lakh. The Transgender Persons ( Protection of Rights ) Rules 2020 says very clearly that every state has to set-up TG protection cells.
The latest data shared by states with the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment (MoSJE) shows that the TG Protection Cells have been set up only in Punjab, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. According to sources, the MoSJE has been reaching out to states to set up these cells and even sent out guidelines on Transgender Protection Cell including composition, function and budget to director general of police of all states and UTs in a letter dated May 14, 2024. Section 18 of the 2019 law stipulates a punishmen.
