Urban Elitist Views: Centre Opposes Legalising Same-Sex Marriage Again

The Centre once again opposed the legalisation of same-sex marriage a day before the Supreme Court is set to hear petitions regarding the same. The Centre described the petitions as "urban elitist views for the purpose of social acceptance".

The Centre called marriage an "exclusively heterogenous institution" and added that legalising same-sex marriage would affect the interests of every citizen. In its submission to the apex court, the Centre said the Parliament would have to consider the "broader views and voices" of rural, urban, and semi-rural populations while keeping views of religious denominations in mind.

The Centre sought for the Supreme Court to dismiss the petitions on grounds of maintainability.

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Centre Opposes Legalising Same-Sex Marriage

The central government argued that it would not be discriminatory to exclude same-sex marriage as relationships like marriages across all religions are "deeply rooted in the Indian social context".

The Centre said that marriage is considered a sacrament in Hindu law and added that in Islam, a valid marriage is only between a biological male and a biological female.

The five-judge bench of the Supreme Court of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice SK Kaul, Justice Ravindra Bhat, Justice Hima Kohli, and Justice PS Narasimha will hear the petitions on Tuesday, April 18.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) also filed an application before the apex court opposing same-sex marriage petitions.

The NCPCR stated that the adoption of same-sex couples would affect the child in "social and psychological aspects".

The NCPCR also stated that children raised by same-sex parents may be exposed to traditional gender roles, which would impact their understanding of gender roles and gender identity.

The petition said allowing same-sex couples to adopt would be "akin to endangering the children". The NCPCR's petition said that bringing up children and adoption is "premature" and that the validity of same-sex marriage needs to be considered first.