Govt not interfering in anybody's personal life by opposing same-sex marriage: Union Law minister
New Delhi, March 13: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju stated on Monday that the institution of marriage is a matter of "policy," and that the Centre is not interfering in anyone's personal life by opposing the petition for legal recognition of same-sex marriage.
"Government not interfering in personal life of anybody. Personal freedom of citizens is never regulated by government. When it comes to institution of marriage, it is a matter of policy. There is a clear distinction," Rijiju said.
However, while hearing petitions seeking recognition of same-sex marriage on Monday, the Supreme Court referred them to a five-judge Constitution bench, which will begin hearing the matter on April 18.
The Centre has filed an affidavit opposing the petition for legal recognition of same-sex marriage, claiming that living together as partners by same-sex individuals, which is now legal, is not comparable with the Indian family unit and that they are clearly distinct classes that cannot be treated identically.
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The Centre has filed an affidavit in response to various pleas for legal recognition of same-sex marriage.
The Centre has filed an affidavit opposing the petition, stating that petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage should be dismissed because they lack merit.
The government stated in its opposition to the petition seeking legal recognition of LGBTQ marriage that same-sex relationships and heterosexual relationships are clearly distinct classes that cannot be treated identically.
The Centre stated in its affidavit that it is for the legislature to judge and enforce such societal morality and public acceptance based on the Indian ethos and that western decisions without any basis in Indian constitutional law and jurisprudence cannot be imported in this context.
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- ANI
