New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Centre's response on a plea challenging guidelines barring transgenders, homosexuals and sex workers from donating blood. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud issued notices to the Centre, National AIDS Control Organisation and National Blood Transfusion Council.

was challenged in the Supreme Court

The apex court was hearing a plea filed by activist Sharif D Rangnekar challenging the 2017 guidelines that exclude transgender persons, men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers from becoming blood donors. The 2017 guidelines permanently bar them from becoming blood donors due to the risk of HIV and hepatitis infection or 'transfusion transmissible infections' (TTIs).

What was said in the petition filed?

This petition has been filed in the Supreme Court by activist Sharif D Rangnekar. The guidelines exclude transgender persons, men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers from becoming blood donors. These guidelines, issued about 9 years ago, were to prevent diseases like HIV and hepatitis infection.

The petition said that the 2017 guidelines violate the right to equality, dignity and life mentioned in Articles 14, 15, 17 and 71 of the Constitution. It is claimed that the guidelines are inspired by similar guidelines made in the US in 1980. Whereas since then these guidelines have been considered and changed several times. Banning blood donation without any investigation strengthens the fact that people of these communities are already suffering from serious diseases.