New Delhi: Before the hearing on the demand for recognition of gay marriage, the Central Government has once again approached the Supreme Court. The Central Government has once again filed an affidavit demanding the dismissal of all the petitions. The Center has filed an affidavit before the constitution bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud saying that
Gay marriage is an urban elite concept, far removed from the social ethos of the country.
The central government has said in the affidavit, ‘The expansion of the concept of marriage beyond heterosexual union is tantamount to creating a new social institution. Only Parliament can take a decision taking into account the broad views and the voices of all rural, semi-rural and urban populations, views of religious sects, and personal laws as well as customs governing the area of marriage. The court cannot take a decision in this matter.
Apart from this, the Central Government has said in the affidavit that before the hearing of the case, it can decide on the petitions can be heard or not. The center said that same-sex marriage is an urban elitist concept, which has nothing to do with the social ethos of the country. Regarding the legal recognition of gay marriage, the Center has said that it is not an issue for the Supreme Court to decide, and giving legal recognition to same-sex marriages does not come under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Please inform that Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has also opposed these petitions saying that this is an attack on the family system and a complete violation of all ‘personal laws’. Seeking intervention in the petitions pending before the top court, the organization has also cited Hindu traditions to say that the purpose of marriage among Hindus is not just physical pleasure or procreation, but spiritual progress. However, the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) supported the petition, saying that the central and state governments should take steps to create public awareness that same-sex family units are ‘normal’.
Let us tell you that a five-member constitution bench of the Supreme Court will hear from Tuesday on the petitions demanding legal recognition of same-sex marriages in the country. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice S. K Kaul, Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, Justice P.S. Narasimha, and Justice Hima Kohli’s bench will start hearing those petitions on 18 April. The hearing and decision of this case will have a wide impact on the country, as common citizens and political parties hold different views on the subject.
