“Thank You, Supriya Sule,” was the common sentiment on Twitter after she batted for the LGBTQ community during a discussion on The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha on Friday, 19 July.
Here’s what NCP’s Baramati MP said in Parliament:
“The whole Bill has to be gender neutral. Why is the LGBTQ community not being included? Human rights isn’t just about terrorists or police.”
The Bill, which provides amendment to the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, so that "terrorists" and "rapists" could not be protected, was passed in the Lok Sabha with a voice vote.
The Bill amends the Act to provide that a person who has been Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or a Judge of the Supreme Court will be the chairperson of the NHRC.
Soon after the Parliament session, a video clip of Sule challenging the provisions of the Act went viral with Twitterati thanking her for standing up for the LGBTQ community.
Equal rights activist Harish Iyer thanked Sule in his tweet and said, “ @supriya_sule You have been unwavering and steadfast in your support, as promised. Thank you Supriya.”
Prominent journalist Faye DSouza too lauded Sule “ for insisting that the Human Rights Bill includes the rights of the #LGBTQ community.”
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