India
Why Is Bihar’s Transgender Welfare Board Planning a Temple for PM Modi? Here’s the Reason Behind the Proposal
The Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board says the proposed temple is a symbolic gesture of gratitude for legal recognition and welfare measures introduced under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
Patna: The Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board has approved a proposal to construct a temple dedicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing it as a symbolic tribute to the Prime Minister for what members say are significant steps taken towards the recognition and empowerment of the transgender community.
The proposal was reportedly passed unanimously during the board’s first meeting under the Bihar Social Welfare Department. However, the project is still at the proposal stage and will require land allocation and administrative approvals from the state government before construction can begin.
Why Does the Board Want to Build the Temple?
According to Ranjan Singh, a member of the Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board who introduced the proposal, the idea stems from the belief that the transgender community in Bihar does not have a dedicated temple of its own.
Board members also credited the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, enacted by the Central Government, with providing the community greater legal recognition and institutional representation.
They said the proposed temple is intended as a symbol of gratitude, rather than being solely a place of worship.
Recognition Over Religion
Members of the welfare board have described the proposal as an acknowledgment of what they see as the Centre’s efforts to bring transgender rights into India’s legal and governance framework.
According to the board, the temple is meant to recognise the role they believe the Prime Minister played in advancing policies for the transgender community.
What Is the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019?
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, is India’s first central legislation focused specifically on safeguarding the rights of transgender persons.
The law includes provisions to:
- Prohibit discrimination in education, employment, healthcare, housing, and public services
- Provide identity certificates for transgender persons
- Direct governments to implement welfare measures
- Establish institutional mechanisms to protect transgender rights
- Facilitate the creation of bodies such as the National Council for Transgender Persons
Following the legislation, several states, including Bihar, established dedicated welfare bodies to address issues related to the transgender community.
ALSO READ : ‘Amit Shah Should Resign’: CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Levels Fresh Allegations Over July 20 Student Crackdown
Bihar Welfare Board’s Role
The Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board was constituted in August 2025 under the Social Welfare Department to work towards the welfare, inclusion, and empowerment of transgender persons across the state.
It was during the board’s inaugural meeting that members unanimously approved the proposal to build the temple.
The Law Has Also Faced Criticism
While the Bihar board has praised the 2019 legislation, the law has also faced criticism from several transgender rights organisations and activists.
Critics have argued that:
The process for obtaining a transgender identity certificate involves unnecessary bureaucratic procedures.- The legislation does not include provisions for reservation in education and public employment, a long-standing demand of many within the community.
- Some activists believe the law does not fully address issues of equality and affirmative action.
These differing opinions reflect the diversity of views within the transgender community regarding the impact of the legislation.
What Happens Next?
At present, the temple proposal has only received approval from the Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board.
The project can move forward only after:
- The Bihar Government allocates suitable land.
- Necessary administrative and legal clearances are granted.
If approved and constructed, the temple would become one of the rare instances in India where a place of worship is dedicated to a sitting Prime Minister, making it a unique and closely watched development.
