The govt tells apex court that same-sex relationship is not comparable with the Indian family unit concept of a husband, a wife and children; SC to hear matter today
Sougata Basu and Mayank Kalra, a same-sex couple, take their adopted children for a walk outside their home in Bengaluru, on February 11. File pic/AFP
The central government opposes recognising same-sex marriages, it said in a filing to the Supreme Court on Sunday, urging the court to reject challenges to the current legal framework lodged by LGBT couples. The Ministry of Law believes that non-recognition of same-sex marriage does not violate the fundamental rights, according to its affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear the matter on Monday.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Family issues are far beyond mere recognition and registration of marriage between persons belonging to the same gender. Living together as partners and having sexual relationship by same sex individuals [which is decriminalised now] is not comparable with the Indian family unit concept of a husband, a wife and children which necessarily presuppose a biological man as a ‘husband’, a biological woman as a ‘wife’ and the children born out of the union between the two--who are reared by the biological man as father and the biological woman as mother,” the filing said, according to a report by Bar and Bench.
Also Read: Mumbai: ‘Was forced to vacate flat’
“Statutory recognition of marriage limited to marriage/union/relation as being heterosexual in nature, is the norm throughout history and are foundational to both the existence and continuance of the State,” Live Law quoted the Centre as saying in its affidavit to the SC. At least four gay couples in recent months have asked the court to recognise same-sex marriages, setting the stage for the legal face-off with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever