On Monday, the Supreme Court of India rejected a request for an interim stay on the amendment to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, which removes the provision for self-identification of gender. Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi will refer the matter to a three-judge bench for further examination. The amendment now mandates that a certificate of transgender identity be issued by a district magistrate following an evaluation by a designated medical board. Senior advocate A M Singhvi argued that this change contradicts the Supreme Court's 2014 ruling in the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) vs Union of India case, which upheld the right to self-identification as a matter of dignity. Justice Bagchi raised concerns about the potential for misuse of self-identification for welfare benefits, while Singhvi countered that such misuse should not infringe on the rights of the majority. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta stated that the law penalizes only forced sex change procedures, emphasizing the importance of protecting individuals from coercion. The court's decision to not stay the amendment highlights ongoing debates about gender identity rights in India.