Coming down heavily on the Central government, LGBTQ activist Priijith PK on Tuesday said that the recent opposition by the government to same-sex marriage is a move to cater to their traditional vote bank policy.
According to a report by ANI, Prijith said, "The affidavit and the position taken by the Union government with regard to same-sex marriage is surprising. As a political party and the government, they (BJP) always stand against the interests of the LGBTQ people. They have done this with an eye on the upcoming elections. Their homophobic attitude is simply aimed at catering to their traditional vote bank."
Questioning India's culture which is heavily based on its 'diversity and inclusion', Prijith said that when the Centre has accepted LGBTQ rights, they must also accept their marriage rights. "They have to accept the legislature, which has acknowledged and upheld the marriage, adoption rights and fundamental rights of LGBTQ people," he said.
The developments come at a time when the Central Government has filed a counter-affidavit in the Supreme Court, opposing pleas seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages in the country.
"Decriminalisation of Section 377 IPC cannot give rise to a claim to seek recognition for same-sex marriage," the centre said, according to a report by LiveLaw. It further said that living together of persons in same-sex relationships "cannot be compared to the Indian family concept of a husband, a wife and children born out of the union".
It is for the legislature to judge and enforce such societal morality and public acceptance based upon Indian ethos, the Centre stated in its affidavit, adding that western decisions sans any basis in Indian constitutional law and jurisprudence cannot be imported in this context.
The apex court earlier said that the matter will come up before a five-judge bench and will be heard by the Constitution Bench. The court has posted the matter for a hearing on April 18.
