SC's 'Haste' on same-sex marriage could lead to new disputes, says VHP

Digital Desk: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), which is opposed to the same-sex marriage petition, has stated that the Supreme Court's "hurry" in deciding applications for legal recognition of same-sex marriages is inappropriate. 

According to the Hindu organisation, the Supreme Court should have solicited the advice of religious leaders and professionals from other sectors.

Surendra Jain, Joint General Secretary of  VHP, voiced concern that the Supreme Court's actions could spark "new disputes."

"Before proceeding on this subject, the honourable Supreme Court should have formed a committee of religious leaders, people in the field of medicine, social scientists, and academicians," Jain remarked. He stated that the subject of marriage is handled by various civil regulations.

"None of the civil codes in India allow for this (same-sex marriage)." Is the Supreme Court willing to amend these?" He stated.

According to the Centre, requests for same-sex marriage recognition are essentially "urban elitist views for social acceptance" and cannot be compared to proper legislation that reflects the opinions and voices of a far broader range and extends across the country.

A five-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud is hearing a slew of petitions seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriage. It began hearing the case on Tuesday, and the arguments have so far been inconclusive. The case will be heard again in court on April 24.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court hinted that it would redefine the "evolving notion of marriage" as the next step after decriminalising consenting gay partnerships, which implied that same-sex persons could live in a stable marriage-like relationship.

The Supreme Court rejected the argument that, unlike heterosexual spouses, same-sex couples are incapable of providing adequate care for their children.

Relating to its 2018 decision that legalised consented gay sexuality, the court stated that it resulted in a situation in which two consenting homosexual adults can live in a marriage-like relationship, with the next step being to recognise their partnership as a marriage.

"As a result, by decriminalising homosexuality, we have implicitly recognised not only the relationship between consenting adults of the same gender but also the fact that people of the same sex could be in a stable relationship," the SC stated.