Transgender law concerns, Odisha mining protests, and Gujarat's voter roll

This episode of 'Three Things' examines three major developments across India. First, it delves into the controversial 2026 Transgender Persons Protection of Rights (Amendment) Act, which replaces self-perceived gender identity with a narrow legal definition limited to individuals belonging to specific socio-cultural groups like Hijra, Kinnaar, and Jogta, or those with intersex variations. Critics, including doctors and activists, warn the law creates uncertainty around access to gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy and surgeries, and may invalidate the legal status of trans men and trans women who do not fit the new criteria. The lack of clear rules and the potential for family or state interference has instilled fear in the transgender community, with reports of harassment and erasure. Next, the episode covers escalating protests in Odisha’s Rayagada district over a bauxite mining project by Vedanta Ltd, where clashes between villagers and police left dozens injured. The villagers, primarily tribals, oppose the construction of an approach road to the Sijimali mine, alleging forced evictions, lack of consent, and fraudulent Gram Sabha approvals. Despite Vedanta’s claim of non-involvement, the project remains contentious, echoing past resistance like the 2013 Niyamgiri protest that halted mining. Finally, the episode highlights a judicial intervention in Gujarat, where the High Court restored voting rights to eight individuals whose names were deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which saw a 13.4% drop in voter registrations. The court emphasized that administrative errors should not bar democratic participation, especially for those seeking to contest elections. However, not all petitions succeeded, underscoring the fragile balance between procedural rigor and democratic inclusion.