Transgender, queer groups march against CAA, NRC

The march, from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar, was called by several women’s rights and transgender/queer groups on the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule, who is considered as India’s foremost feminists.

Lack of necessary documents, widespread discrimination against the community, and violence perpetrated by their own families -- these are some of the reasons which have left India’s transgender and queer community more worried after the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Transgender, queer groups take out protests against CAA. (Amal KS/HT Photo)

“We are still fighting for our identity in this country and now we are being asked for papers to prove our citizenship,” said Vivek Azad, a transman who now works for the rights of the transgender community. “That is why are opposing this law,” he added.

While the capital has been witnessing protests over the amended citizenship law for over a month, transgender and queer groups marched for the first time on Friday to raise their voices against CAA and the possibility of National Register of Citizens exercise in India. The march, from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar, was called by nearly 50 women’s rights and transgender/queer groups on the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule, who is considered as India’s foremost feminists.

“Some of my documents were burnt by my family after I had an altercation with them. How do I get those back? Those who left their homes, like me, are fighting for our basic rights and existence. And now we are being made to fight for our citizenship too,” Azad said.

His concerns were echoed by several other transgender persons and queers who said CAA would cause problems for the community, which already is deprived of opportunities due to discrimination faced by them. Many also raised the issue of not having documents aligned to the names and gender of their choice, due to lack of sensitivity among officials.

Ray R, a transwoman studying law in Delhi University, said, “I am studying here and even then my documents are not aligned to my gender. The situation is worse for others who don’t have that privilege.”

“Since transgender people are forced to leave their homes at a very early age and drop out of schools due to violence and transphobia, they don’t have the crucial documents,” said Pavel Sagolsem, a non-binary gender activist.

Many also said that the amended act grants citizenship on the basis of religion and doesn’t specify about the transgender community from other countries. Rafiul Alom Rahman, founder of The Queer Muslim Project which works to address intersectional issues affecting LGBTQI Muslims, said the government hasn’t even defined the term persecuted minorities.

“The act talks of religious minorities instead of persecuted minorities as said by the government in public announcements. In countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, the gender and sexuality of queer Muslims is found unacceptable by the religious dogma of the region. Their persecution is not being taken into account. Even non-Muslim queers who want to seek asylum might be limited because of the cut-off date.”

Rahman, who hails from Assam, added a pan-India CAA-NRC would be a recipe for disaster. “Reports stated that around 2,000 transgender persons were left out of the final NRC in Assam.”

Talking about the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, he said “In many ways, CAA is similar to that act since it ignores the issues faced by the community while claiming to address it.” A sentiment echoed by many protesters on Friday. “When we come out, we are ostracised by our families. Now due to lack of documents, we will be put in detention centres,” Ray said.

Meanwhile, anti-CAA protests in Shaheen Bagh and outside Jamia Millia Islamia continued for the 20th day on Friday. Jamia students on Friday held a candle-light vigil from the varsity to Shaheen Bagh — where protests are continuing despite a section of organisers backing out of the agitation a day earlier.