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Lok Sabha passes Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026

 The Lok Sabha passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026 on Tuesday after a three-hour long discussion with social justice minister Virendra Kumar stating that the protection of transgender persons was an “absolute need” and displayed the “moral power” of the Republic, even as the opposition called the bill “unconstitutional” and questioned the government’s urgency in drafting amendments to an existing law without consulting the affected community.. Lok Sabha passes Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026. “In 2019, a bill to protect transgender persons was introduced in this very House. Now, we have presented another one which is sensitive, and amends a few sections only to protect those people, who on account of their biological condition, face serious social exclusion. Apart from granting rights, this law will also provide dignity and empathy so that transgender people live with equality,” Kumar said.. “Bringing a community to the mainstream is easier said than done. I want to assure the House that the community will continue to be treated equally according to the law and their rights will stay protected. This bill will strengthen transgender people and restore pride and prestige to the community,” he said.. The bill, expected to be discussed in the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing budget session, contains amendments to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. It redefines the category of transgender, removes the provision of self-perceived gender identity and excludes several socio-cultural identities as well as transmasculine individuals from its ambit. Furthermore, it defines transgender persons within a biological framework, based on intersex variations and differences in sexual development. The bill allows greater administrative oversight and reporting by medical institutions after gender reassignment surgery, and makes provisions for a medical board on whose recommendation a district magistrate can issue identity certificates. It also expands the offenses against transpersons to include forced mutilation, kidnapping, coercion, and exploitation, and provides stricter punishments ranging from five years to life imprisonment. However, the penalty for committing sexual crimes against transpersons remains unchanged, attracting a maximum of two years.. Speaking in favour of the bill, Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi of the Bharatiya Janata Party said that the biological basis of defining the transgender category was a “scientific approach” that would protect transpersons from “infiltrators” and “fakes” who “can take away their rights”.. Four other members of the parliament, including Kumar, spoke in favour of the bill. Telugu Desam Party MP Dr Byreddy Shabari said that several transpersons had approached her stating that people pretending to be transgender were availing benefits in her home state of Andhra Pradesh.. Eleven members of the opposition parties, i 

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Politics

Sonia Gandhi stable: Delhi hospital gives Congress leader’s health update

 Sonia Gandhi, senior Congress leader, is stable and being checked by doctors for possible infection in the stomach and urinary tract, said Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in a statement on Wednesday, a day after the politician was admitted.. Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on the occasion of the 140th foundation day of the Indian National Congress on December 28, 2025. (Vipin Kumar/Hindustan Times). Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Tuesday at 10:22 pm, news agency ANI quoted Dr Ajay Swaroop, chairman of the medical facility, as saying.. “She is stable. Doctors are conducting further investigations to check for possible infection in the stomach and urinary tract. A team of doctors is closely monitoring her condition, and antibiotics have been administered,” Dr Swaroop said.. Gandhi was reportedly admitted after experiencing respiratory issues at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Ajay Swaroop said that following a detailed medical examination, Sonia Gandhi’s bronchial asthma was mildly exacerbated by the combined effects of cold weather and prevailing pollution levels in Delhi, ANI reported.. As a precautionary measure, doctors decided to admit her for observation and further medical management.. Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP and Sonia Gandhi’s son, on Wednesday cancelled his scheduled official visit to Kerala due to his mother’s health concerns.. He was scheduled to kick off his election campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls in Kerala today with a major rally in Kozhikode. Senior Congress MP and party president Mallikarjun Kharge later left for poll-bound Kerala in place of Rahul Gandhi.. The veteran leader was also admitted last year in June due to stomach-related issues. She was kept under observation at the hospital’s gastro department.. Gandhi was admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla earlier the same month – on June 7 last year. 

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‘Doubt academic qualification’: Supreme Court raps Gurugram Police over lapses in three-year old’s rape case

 Coming down heavily on the police in Haryana’s Gurugram over the alleged rape of a three-year old, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked why should action not be taken against the officials, alleging “all-out” efforts were made to protect the accused.. The Supreme Court of India (PTI file). A three-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by two female domestic helps along with their male accomplice for approximately two months in a society in Sector 54, according to PTI news agency, which cited police.. The Supreme Court was hearing the case of where it was informed that the Magistrate recorded the survivor’s statement in presence of the accused.. “It’s a glaring case where police has made all-out efforts to protect accused. Unwarranted report submitted…We doubt academic or professional qualifications or their ability to render any valuable assistance in such matters,” the Supreme Court said, rapping the Gurugram Police.. The top court directed the Haryana government to expeditiously notify the Special Investigation Team (SIT), asking Gurugram Police to hand over case records by Thursday.. On March 20, the top court had agreed to hear the plea seeking a CBI or SIT probe into the rape of the three-year-old girl in Gurugram.. The apex court on Wednesday constituted three-member SIT comprising Haryana cadre women IPS officers to probe the three-year-old’s rape case. 

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Rahul Gandhi cancels Kerala visit over mother Sonia’s health concerns

 Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has cancelled his scheduled visit to Kerala today due to mother Sonia’s health concerns, HT has learnt.. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (L) cancelled his Kerala visit over his mother Sonia’s health concerns. (Hindustan Times/File). He was scheduled to kick off his election campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls in Kerala today with a major rally in Kozhikode. However, senior Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge will now be visiting the poll-bound state in Rahul’s place and has left for Kozhikode.. The development comes a day after Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. She is undergoing treatment there, with doctors monitoring her condition, as reported earlier.. Sonia Gandhi was feeling unwell due to the change in weather and was under observation, news agency PTI reported, citing sources. A team of doctors is attending to her, but there is nothing serious, it further added.. The Rajya Sabha MP was hospitalised back in January as well after she experienced respiratory issues. Back then, doctors attributed the deterioration in her health to combined effects of cold weather and the pollution level in Delhi. The Congress MP reportedly suffers from bronchial asthma, which had been mildly exacerbated then.. Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Kozhikode was planned in the backdrop of the upcoming polls to Kerala. His rally was reportedly supposed to take place at the Kozhikode beach in the evening, marking the beginning of his campaign tour in the state ahead of the April 9 elections.. Also Read: Sonia Gandhi says India’s ‘silence’ on Khamenei death is abdication. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who heads the election campaign committee, reportedly said last week that Rahul Gandhi is expected to elaborate on key promises of the United Democratic Front (UDF), including the proposed “guarantee card”.. Leaders from the national and state levels of the party were also expected to attend the event, he said in a statement, as reported by news agency PTI. 

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BPCL says India has enough fuel after PM asks country to ‘be prepared’ over Iran war disruptions

 Amid disruptions in global energy supplies and fears of strict measures over shortage of fuel and gas due to the US-Iran war, oil companies on Wednesday dismissed rumours of petrol-diesel shortage saying that India has adequate reserves.. PM Modi’s Rajya Sabha speech (Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab). The February 28 US-Israeli strikes on Iran sparked a war that has not just affected the Gulf region but the entire world, with key waterway Strait of Hormuz being virtually closed off.. A fifth of world’s gas and fuel requirements reportedly travel through the Strait of Hormuz that Iran’s retaliation has choked.. Amid tankers carrying gas and crude oil being stranded or delayed due to the chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, questions have been growing around what steps the government would take to cater to the global crisis, so much so that some have even wondered if there could be lockdown-like measures.. Oil companies dismiss fuel shortage rumours. Addressing the growing speculation and fears, Indian oil companies Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), and Indian Oil Corp Ltd said on Wednesday that the rumours are unfounded.. “Rumours of petrol and diesel shortages are completely unfounded. India has ample fuel reserves, and supply chains are running normally, said BPCL.. BPCL added it is fully operational and committed to uninterrupted fuel supply.. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) made a similar statement in its communication, assuring customers that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG across the country.. “Dear Customers, There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG across the country. Fuel supplies remain stable, and adequate stocks are available. Customers are advised not to be misled by rumours or resort to panic buying. Please continue with normal consumption patterns. HPCL remains committed to ensuring an uninterrupted and seamless fuel supply across its network,” HPCL said.. Internet searches regarding “lockdown in India” have been rising since Tuesday, March 24, which was also the sixth anniversary of the nationwide lockdown Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced in 2020 over the Covid-19 outbreak.. ‘Lockdown due to war’ searches rise. Some searches on Tuesday also were about whether there will be a lockdown again in India due to war. The government of India has maintained through multiple statements issued so far over the West Asia conflict that there is no need for panic regarding disruptions globally in gas and oil supplies, however, people have been urged to be mindful in their usage of the key natural resources.. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Parliament speech, in which forecast a strong possibility of ill effects due to the ongoing war, also described the disruption to energy supplies globally due to the fighting in the oil-rich Gulf and as having “serious consequences”.. Drawing attention to the long-term risks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi note 

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Why is Kamal Haasan’s MNM not contesting Tamil Nadu elections 2026

 Kamal Haasan, actor-politician and founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), announced on Tuesday that his party will not contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly election 2026.. DMK president and Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin meets Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) MP Kamal Haasan (L), in Chennai on Tuesday (@mkstalin X/ANI Photo). Haasan’s MNM was expected to fight the April 23 elections under a seat-sharing plan with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).. Elections to the 234-seat Tamil Nadu assembly are scheduled to take place on April 23, while the counting of votes is slated for May 4, along with that of West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.. Why is Kamal Haasan’s party not contesting?. Kamal Haasan’s MNM, a constituent of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, said that the number of seats DMK offered and the ‘suggestion’ that MNM nominees should contest under the chief minister MK Stalin-led party’s Rising Sun symbol are not acceptable.. Announcing the decision to not contest the polls, MNM founder Haasan said his party would still be extending unconditional support to all the candidates of the DMK-led alliance.. Haasan said the decision to abstain from poll fray was “not sacrifice but a duty” and through this he has planted the seeds of a new political civilisation. “Proudly rejecting what the chief minister lovingly offers is also a form of love,” according to PTI news agency translation of his statement. He added that he gave up the seats for the progress of Tamil Nadu, and for the formation of a Dravidian Model 2.0 government which was the need of the hour.. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin hailed the announcement as “magnanimous decision setting aside self-interest with dignity and prioritise the welfare of Tamil Nadu.”. “I don’t know how to express my gratitude to him. His decision has deeply moved me,” PTI quoted as saying Stalin, who is the president of the DMK. Extending gratitude, Stalin requested “brother Kamal Haasan” to campaign across Tamil Nadu for the April 23 polls.. ‘No full stop in politics’. Haasan, who called on the chief minister and conveyed his decision on Tuesday evening, said in the statement: “In today’s difficult political environment, the number of seats that they (DMK) have promised to give us and the suggestion that we should contest under the Rising Sun symbol are not acceptable to the members of the MNM and to me.”. Haasan said in politics, election is only a part and it is not final; there is no ‘full stop’ in politics, according to PTI.. The MNM joined the DMK-led alliance during the last parliamentary election. “We worked hard for the alliance’s success. As a result, the voice of Makkal Needhi Maiam was heard in the Rajya Sabha. From that day till today, we have maintained the alliance dharma without giving up our uniqueness,” he said.. The chief minister and other leaders in the DMK “behaved with love, respect, and friendliness” towards him during the seat-sharing negotiations for the 20 

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