Tag: Right To Privacy

This is a daytime mid-range shot of the author holding a handwritten poster at a public protest organized at Jantar Mantar, Delhi on March 29, 2026 against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026. The author is standing facing the camera. In bold and colourful letters on a white background, the poster headline says “Viksit Bharat, Transphobic Bharat” with the first two words distinctly crossed out. Next to the headline, there is more text that says, “#Reject Trans Bill 2026” and “#NoGoingBack”. All around the author, there is a large crowd of protestors numbering at least 100. Further into the background, a stage has been erected for protest speeches, with a long protest banner forming the backdrop. Tall trees provide shelter for the protestors against the strong sun. Photo credit: Professor Harikarthik Ramesh

Vartanama Apr '26

What are rights without the right to self-identify one’s gender?

By Sudhasri Yadavalli

Sudhasri Yadavalli analyses the systemic harms likely to result from the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026

In this night-time long shot photograph, a large group of protesters are gathered at Ranu Chhaya Mancha in Central Kolkata on March 15, 2026 to protest the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026. Some of them are standing on a platform holding a long horizontal banner that reads: "We are not a diagnosis. We reject Trans Bill 2026". The banner text is printed in bold capitalized letters on a black background. Several hashtags like #Rage and #Rise are printed below the text, and thought blurbs in Bengali like “Dhikkar”, “Parichay” and “Ladai” are scattered on both sides of the text on the banner. Several other protestors hold placards and posters related to transgender rights, and stand below the platform, facing a central speaking area. The slogans on the posters and placards say “We Reject Trans Bill 2026” and “Self-identity Is My Right”. Some individuals appear to be listening attentively to speeches being made in the speaking area, while others converse among themselves. A large soundbox can be seen placed next to the platform. The atmosphere suggests an organized demonstration. Several tall trees and a lamppost juxtaposed against the night sky form the backdrop. Photo credit: Meghjit Sengupta

Insight Mar '26

Recognition, struggle and politics of dignity

By Ayushman Roy, Meghjit Sengupta, Surjo Pramanik

The amended trans rights law is all about social injustice and disempowerment – Ayushman Roy, Meghjit Sengupta and Surjo Pramanik report on the recent protests against the law in Kolkata

This is a horizontally rectangular graphic that shows a banner prepared for a community protest planned against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 on March 15, 2026 from 5.00 pm at Ranu Chhaya Mancha in Central Kolkata. On a background of blue, pink and white stripes, the colours traditionally associated with transgender rights, the banner headline in bold black says “Transgender Communities Reject Trans Amendment Bill, 2026”. Below the headline are three hashtags ‘gather’, ‘agitate’, and ‘nogoingback’. Below the hashtags, the event date, time and venue are mentioned. A tagline at the bottom says “We are not a diagnosis. Our identities are not up for approval.” On the bottom right corner of the graphic, three fisted hands raised in protest and a red loudspeaker can be seen. Graphic credit: QT* Strategizing Group for Trans Bill 2026

Happenings, Vartanama Mar '26

Transgender communities reject Trans Bill 2026

By QT* Strategizing Group for Trans Bill 2026

Media advisory issued by a network of trans and queer individuals and collectives in West Bengal to oppose the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026

This mid-range indoor photograph shows the author of this article Kheya Barai and the curator of the ‘Queer Objects 1.0’ exhibition Rishav Thakur standing on either side of the author’s exhibits ‘Breasts 1’ and ‘Breasts 2’ mounted on a wall in a well-lit corner of the exhibition hall. Rishav is leaning casually slightly against the wall. The first exhibit is vertically rectangular in shape and has a black wooden frame. A white cotton vest worn by a trans man is pasted on to a red background. Two flower-shaped 3D objects resembling human breasts are pinned on the chest area of the vest. The objects have been created from crumpled pink crepe bandages used by two trans masculine individuals as binders. The crepe material is marked with silvery glitter. The second exhibit is a mid-sized circular and flat object, dark brown in colour. The brown colour comes from lush embroidery threads. The exhibit has been created from a vest worn by a trans woman pre-gender transition and a crepe bandage used as a binder by a trans man, also pre-gender transition. Two silvery flower-like objects resembling human breasts have been pinned on the chest area of the vest. Photo credit: Bhaskar Jyoti Rabha

Creations, Insight Oct '25

Textured titties

By Kheya Barai

Kheya Barai writes the fourth and last in a series of articles by the artists who participated in the ‘Queer Objects 1.0’ exhibition held in Guwahati in late 2023

Quote: What then are our expectations from life? I mean, apart from wanting Section 377, IPC to be struck off; apart from wanting recognition from our ‘straight’ fellow humans; apart from rights, space and privacy . . . What is it that each of our personal selves yearns for? Can we classify our desires into two broad divisions of love and sex? Does social sanction hold a lot of importance for us?

From the Archives, Vartanama Jul '25

Random thoughts 30 something years ago

By Pawan Dhall

On ‘Varta’ webzine’s 12th birthday, Pawan Dhall shares excerpts from an editorial published in the webzine’s predecessor ‘Pravartak’ in 1995

This image is a sketch of Arvey Malhotra’s face drawn by Rimu Panda and posted on Instagram along with a line that says “Sweet soul, we are all sorry.” In the sketch, a youthful Arvey is looking at the reader, gently smiling and holding up his hands to show nails painted in different patterns and colours. Arvey was a jewellery and nail paint artist. He is wearing a red ring on the ring finger on his left hand. He has a thick mop of hair and is bearded. He is wearing a light brown pullover jacket. The artist has drawn a small white halo above Arvey’s head to the left side of the image. The sketch has a pleasing background of hues of pink, yellow and orange. The image has been slightly edited by the author of the article Mihir Seth

Insight, Vartanama Mar '24

The paradoxical need for queer death

By Mihir Seth

Death by suicide among queer youth should galvanize action to address the global mental health crisis, argues Mihir Seth

Vartanama Jul '23

Tensions of the past and future

By Pawan Dhall

An imperfect digest of ‘Varta’ webzine’s journey through a decade of climaxes, anti-climaxes, and explorations for a social G-spot

Quote: In a somewhat predictable turn of events, the ‘apology’ owed to queer Indians and their families is still trying hard to ‘come out’ from the pages of the verdict into day-to-day life – even when the Supreme Court itself is trying to set a progressive example for the rest of the polity to follow. The central government’s unwillingness to accept the Supreme Court’s recommendation for the appointment of advocate Saurabh Kirpal as a judge of the Delhi High Court is a case in point.

Vartanama Jan '23

Decriminalized but not destigmatized

By Pawan Dhall

The central government’s discomfort about queerness in the judiciary throws up many more uncomfortable questions

This graphic consists of two thought clouds placed next to each other inside a horizontal rectangle. The first cloud on the left says “You must be aware about protecting your OTP – onetime password.” The second cloud on the right is much larger and says “But what about safeguarding your ORTP – online right to privacy?” The text in both the clouds is in a bold typeface. The smaller cloud has text in black, while the bigger one has larger text in red. The clouds are coloured in different shades of yellow and placed against a striking blue and lavender background. Graphic credit: Pawan Dhall

Insight, Policy Matters Nov '21

Is digitization the new bed fellow for anti-queer discrimination?

By Brindaalakshmi K.

The author wants to alert queer people in India against an uncritical embracing of digital inclusion

This rectangular illustration shows a small part of the text from the accompanying article placed on a light blue background. The background also includes droplets of transparent water scattered across the upper and lower edges of the illustration. The text says: “Sahil is in Mumbai now and continuing his treatment here. He’s so happy with the behaviour of the healthcare providers here in Mumbai and that too in a similar government hospital as the Kolkata one. I’m glad that he’s seen a better version of the healthcare system here, and I didn’t want to create a scene then and there in Kolkata as it was far more important to start Sahil’s treatment and to provide him emotional support.” The graphic attempts to convey values around accountability, transparency, dignity, respect, and good health for mind and body. Graphic credit: Pawan Dhall (graphic based on Microsoft Office PowerPoint designs)

Vartanama Oct '21

Mistreatment of people living with HIV still happens in government facilities

By Pawan Dhall

Universal healthcare access in India – can this dream become a reality without ensuring patient dignity?

This lead graphic has text that says: “Queer cohabitation requires diverse support systems and services in addition to the protection that the law of the land extends to queer couples. These systems and services must address the socio-cultural barriers that the queer couples are bound to encounter. It’s unlikely that queer cohabitation can succeed just on islands of legal approval surrounded by a sea of family and social disapproval.” The text in black is superimposed on a background that shows a random spread of numerous heart shapes, some interlinked or coupled, others lying single and asunder, in different angles. The heart shapes are in a mix of steel grey, light blue and sea green colours, and form a striking backdrop to the text. Graphic credit: Pawan Dhall (graphic based on Clip Art by Microsoft Office)

Insight Aug '21

In the matter of queer relationships – court approval vs. social disapproval

By Diksha Sanyal

What is life like for Indian queer couples who win court approval of their right to cohabit? An analysis by Diksha Sanyal with inputs from Pawan Dhall

Coronavirus Diary, Happenings Mar '21

Bengal government health insurance scheme not ready for trans inclusion?

By Sudipa Chakraborty, Pawan Dhall, Pradosh Dash

Transgender social worker Sudipa Chakraborty has had a harrowing time applying for Swasthya Sathi, West Bengal government’s ambitious health insurance scheme for one and all

This photograph is a striking long shot of the early morning sky taken from the balcony in Mayuri’s home. A major part of this vertical oriented photograph consists of silver-white clouds flecking a blue sky like a carpet right up to the horizon, where a rising sun has painted the sky in hues of orange and pink. A few buildings and trees can be seen in the near distance, somewhat still in the dark, with a number of hills rising behind them in the far distance. The entire scene is one of morning calm symbolizing peace and positivity. Photo credit: Mayuri

Coronavirus Diary, Insight, People Oct '20

Lockdown takeaways: Achieving higher ground

By Rudrani Rajkumari

In this second paired narrative of queer lives during the lockdown in Assam, Shivalal Gautam tells us how two queer women negotiated multiple trials and reached a better place in...

This illustration is a combination of a photograph of Sanjit Mondal, whose story is the subject matter of the accompanying article, and a quote extracted from the article. Sanjit’s photograph has been taken in an outdoor location in the early evening light. Head bent to the right and with his right hand in his crop-topped hair, Sanjit looks into the camera with the hint of a smile. He is dressed casually in a shirt with sleeves rolled up and denim shorts, and has a friendship band on his left wrist. He is seated on the raised edge of a paved pathway. Behind him is a patch of manicured green and two palm trees. A small portion of a pavement with a single pedestrian, a thoroughfare with no traffic, an overhead carriageway for a railway line, and in the distant background some buildings and more trees can also be seen. The accompanying quote says: “Obviously we’ve just got the right to have sex in our own bedroom, which isn’t enough for a human being. Nothing’s really been done for our rights. Only when LGBT people are able to avail of all the basic rights that heterosexual people take for granted in their day-to-day life can one say that yes we’ve got our rights.” Photo courtesy Sanjit Mondal

Coronavirus Diary, People Oct '20

Right to have sex in one’s bedroom not be-all and end-all of LGBTIQA+ rights

By Pradosh Dash

Pradosh Dash chats with political science student Sanjit Mondal who survived a recent queerphobic attack by the Bidhannagar City Police and turned adversity into opportunity

The graphic shows a circular word cloud formed with terms and expressions used in the accompanying article. For example, ‘domestic violence’, ‘marriage’, ‘coercion’, ‘family violence’, ‘eviction’, ‘threats’, ‘police’, ‘queer’ and so on. The text in the word cloud is in a light colour and stands against a background of deep blue. The circular word cloud is itself placed on a black rectangular shape with fuzzy outlines, and this rectangle is placed on a background made up of the rainbow pride flag colours. The word cloud, the rectangle and their colouration are meant to symbolize a reality check when it comes to the experiences of queer people in India even after decriminalization. Graphic credit: Pawan Dhall

Advice - Rights and Laws Sep '20

Stay home, stay safe?

By Diksha Sanyal

COVID-19 lockdowns may eventually go, but domestic violence against queer persons not quite so. Diksha Sanyal offers some legal solutions

This illustration shows the cover page of the report ‘Gendering of Development Data in India: Beyond the Binary’ published by the Centre for Internet and Society, Bangalore in June 2020. Right on top of the page are the logos of Big Data for Development and the Centre for Internet and Society. The title of the report follows in a bold green typeface. Below the title are the names of Brindaalakshmi K. and Sumandro Chattapadhyay, the author and editor of the report, respectively. The bottom of the page has the following text: “Produced as part of the Big Data for Development network supported by International Development Research Centre, Canada.” This is followed by the name and website of the Centre for Internet and Society https://cis-india.org. The cover page is white and has minimal colours from the logos and the text. The page is presented against a deep blue background.

Policy Matters Aug '20

Red flag on ‘data-driven exclusion’ of transgender people

By Brindaalakshmi K.

‘Gendering of Development Data in India: Beyond the Binary’ – study reveals how structural gaps keep out transgender persons from the social welfare net, not just poor data collection

Tagged Under: Right To Privacy

What are rights without the right to self-identify one’s gender?

Recognition, struggle and politics of dignity

Transgender communities reject Trans Bill 2026

Textured titties

Random thoughts 30 something years ago

The paradoxical need for queer death

Tensions of the past and future

Decriminalized but not destigmatized

Is digitization the new bed fellow for anti-queer discrimination?

Mistreatment of people living with HIV still happens in government facilities

In the matter of queer relationships – court approval vs. social disapproval

Bengal government health insurance scheme not ready for trans inclusion?

Lockdown takeaways: Achieving higher ground

Right to have sex in one’s bedroom not be-all and end-all of LGBTIQA+ rights

Stay home, stay safe?

Red flag on ‘data-driven exclusion’ of transgender people

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