Rani KoHEnur (Sushant Divgikar) Calls Transgender Bill 'Absurd': Don't Make My Identity Political, This Is...

Artist and drag performer Rani KoHEnur (Sushant Divgikar) has sharply attacked the Transgender Amendment Bill during a recent podcast, calling the legislation regressive and harmful. Rani said, "This bill is absolutely absurd because it takes away from what the NALSA judgement gave us. We were one of the first countries to recognize transgender identity with dignity, and now you're taking that away. If it's about me, it should not be without me. Don't make my identity political - this is a human rights issue."

The comments came during an appearance on the podcast InControversial with Pooja Chaudhri, where Rani mixed personal stories with political critique. The conversation quickly moved beyond legal language to focus on lived experience, systemic gaps, and daily struggles faced by transgender people in India. Rani spoke as an artist, activist, and drag performer who has worked within entertainment and advocacy spaces.

Transgender Bill debate and questions for lawmakers

Rani repeatedly questioned the priorities of lawmakers who supported the Transgender Amendment Bill and suggested that other urgent concerns were being ignored. Rani asked, "Have you rectified your rape laws? Have you fixed child trafficking? There are so many real issues people are dealing with every single day, and this is what you choose to focus on. Why are you so concerned about our bodies instead of the actual problems in the country?"

During the podcast, Rani argued that the bill failed to reflect ground realities for transgender citizens, despite India’s earlier progress after the NALSA judgement. Rani described a sense of rights being rolled back rather than expanded, and linked this to a wider pattern of policies made without meaningful consultation. The criticism framed the bill as disconnected from dignity, safety, and everyday life.

Transgender Bill, representation gaps and decision-makers

A major concern raised by Rani was the lack of representation in spaces where laws are drafted and debated. Rani said, "There are only men making laws - for women, for transgender people, for entire communities. Where is our representation? At least consult the people you're making these laws for. You cannot decide our existence without us being part of that conversation." This, Rani suggested, showed a deep structural imbalance.

Rani also directly addressed ministers linked to the Transgender Amendment Bill, expressing disbelief at how it was approved. Rani stated, "I would genuinely ask the ministers who passed this bill - are you high? Because I cannot understand how decisions like this are being made when they so clearly ignore reality, dignity, and basic human rights." The line became one of the podcast’s most shared moments online.

Transgender Bill criticism and entertainment industry response

The discussion expanded from government policy to the entertainment industry, where Rani has built a public career. Rani argued that many industry figures show support for LGBTQIA+ communities only when it is convenient. Rani said, "They make films on our lives, they tell our stories, they profit from our narratives for entertainment. But when the time comes to actually stand up and speak, they go silent. Their backbone disappears. You cannot celebrate us on screen and abandon us in real life."

Rani then connected this selective support to the wider reaction around the Transgender Amendment Bill. According to Rani, the silence of influential creators, producers, and performers during debates on the bill reflected a reluctance to challenge power. The podcast conversation suggested that profit from queer stories had not always translated into consistent public solidarity when policies affecting those communities were discussed.

Transgender Bill context, drag as politics and personal journey

Moving away from direct criticism of the Transgender Amendment Bill, Rani spoke about drag as an art that is also political. Rani said, "Drag is not just entertainment - it is political, it is a revolution. It's an art form that allows you to challenge norms, to exist loudly, and to take up space in a world that constantly tries to erase you." For Rani, performance is linked with visibility and protest.

The interview also traced how Rani’s artistic journey began in private spaces and later reached large public stages. Rani recalled early days by saying, "I discovered I could sing in the bathroom, when I didn't even know how people around me would react. From there to performing for thousands of people, to being on global platforms - it's been a journey shaped by resilience, gratitude, and constantly pushing boundaries." This personal history framed the political views shared on the show.

Towards the end of the podcast, Rani turned to listeners within the transgender and LGBTQIA+ community who might feel isolated, especially while laws such as the Transgender Amendment Bill are debated. Rani said, "To anyone who feels like they are alone you are not. That's what I stand for, that's what my work stands for. No policy, no bill, no system can erase who you are. The future is bright, and we are not going anywhere." The conversation closed on that note of defiance and collective hope.