India’s Supreme Court weighs up same-sex marriage

2023-04-19 16:46:06

First modification: 19/04/2023 – 16:46

The highest Indian court has begun this week to hear the petitions of dozens of homosexuals who demand the legalization of same-sex marriage in the country. The hearings, broadcast live, have opened a broad debate on the issue in a still conservative country.

With Sébastien Farcis, RFI correspondent in New Delhi

The Supreme Court decriminalized homosexual acts just five years ago, and now some of India’s best-known lawyers are back on the bench, facing a five-judge panel in a constitutional chamber.

With this clear demand expressed by Mukul Rohatgi. “Same-sex couples now have the same rights as everyone else. So they are asking for the same institutions of marriage and family, because these institutions are highly respected in India,” the lawyer said. “This will give them official recognition by the State, and will end the stigmatization of these couples. Because even today, two men holding hands in a park are stigmatized,” he said.

strong opposition

The judges have asked that the process be broadcast live, and thousands of people follow it on the Internet or on television, which sometimes generates strong opposition: the Indian family institution is threatened, some say. What will become of the future children? These arguments are picked up by the prosecutor, who is fiercely opposed to this legalization.

The government lawyer also argues that this demand for same-sex marriage is “elitist and urbane.” An argument refuted by the President of the Supreme Court, who affirms that there is no data to prove it.