India’s Trans Bill 2026 is a step backwards and in this episode, we discuss why that is the case.

We break down the newly introduced amendment to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act with educator and parent Meghna Kulkarni, who has two neurodivergent, trans, non-binary children, Shreesh and Rit. Meghna explains how society’s binary view of gender shapes misunderstanding, clarifies differences between sex, gender, and sexuality, and shares her family’s unlearning journey supported by Sweekar the Rainbow Parents and related workshops.

She outlines landmark legal moments including the 2014 NALSA judgment and the 2019 Act’s key provision of self-identification without medical intervention, then argues the new amendment removes self-identification, narrows recognition to specific communities, excludes trans men, trans women, and non-binary people, and could criminalize caregivers and allies while reintroducing medical board examinations.

The episode ends with a call to learn, respect differences, and practice compassion, plus information on support resources.