THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRANSGENDER PERSONS (PROTECTION OF RIGHTS) BILL, 2016 TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION
Transgender is not a new section of the society. They are present in the world from times immemorial. Transgender community mainly comprises of Hijras, Eunuchs, Kothis, Aravanis, Jogappas, Shiv-Shakthis etc., the existence of Eunuchs can be traced back to 9th century BC. It is a Greek word meaning there by “Keeper of the bed" .In Indian context scriptures like Vedas (1500 BC - 500 BC), Manu Smriti (200 BC - 200 AD), Mahabhaya (200 BC), and Patanjali's work on Sanskrit grammar recognized three genders. The status of transgender was not discriminatory from the very beginning; rather they had a respected position in medieval India especially in the Mughal Period. The societal position of the Transgender was started to decline during the British Rule. Though, initially they were granted protections and benefits by some Indian states. However, in the second half of the 19th century, the British colonial administration vigorously sought to criminalize the hijra community and de...