The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought for an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Chief Secretaries of all the States and Union Territories over the plight of transgenders .

Acting on a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and activist Radhakanta Tripathy, the NHRC passed the order. Tripathy has raised the issue concerning plight of transgenders during Corona pandemic wherein they are being deprived of basic necessities of life and highlighted failure on part of States to implement the NALSA judgment of the Supreme Court for safeguarding the rights of the transgender persons

With the outbreak of Corona pandemic, the transgenders in India have been suffering immensely but silently.  Performance of dances or doing some other stray jobs or running small businesses has become impossible for them. Their source of livelihood has been stopped completely and the States have done nothing for their survival, Tripathy mentioned.

All the States and Union Territories in India have failed to implement the decision of the Supreme Court Judgement in NALSA case related to the transgenders, Tripathy contended.

He further pointed out that the benefits of social welfare schemes remain a mirage for these unfortunate victims.

The horrific incidents of human rights violation have been continuing for these victims due to inaction and failure of the State administration in ensuring the bare necessities of life, Tripathy alleged.

He requested the NHRC to seek detailed report  from the Chief Secretaries of all the States and Union territories with regard to steps taken to ensure bare necessities of life of the transgenders.

Seeking ATR from the authorities the apex human rights watchdog  warned, “In case the report is not received within the stipulated time, the Commission shall be constrained to invoke coercive process u/s 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 for personal appearance of the concerned authority”.