A total of 15 petitions requesting marital equality in India are being heard by the Supreme Court. When CJI Chandrachud heard the same-sex marriage argument on Wednesday, he noted that the government had not shown any statistics that “this (same-sex marriage) is urban or something.”
The Centre claimed in an earlier motion that the petitioners’ submission before the court on the topic is “a mere urban elitist view” and “the competent legislature will have to take into account broader views” of multitude sections.
Director Vivek Agnihotri tweeted, “NO. Same sex marriage is not an ‘urban elitist’ concept. It’s a human need. Maybe some sarkari elites drafted it who have never travelled in small towns & villages. Or Mumbai locals. First, same sex marriage is not a concept. It’s a need. It’s a right. And in a progressive, liberal & inclusive civilisation like Bharat, same sex marriage should be normal, not a crime.”
Actor Celina Jaitely wrote “I stand with the Indian #LGBTQ in their battle for right to life to dignity, to the institution of marriage & family which is available to others Today a 5 judge Constitution Bench hears pleas seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriage”.
Writer Apurva Asrani, a representative of the community wrote, “Dear Left, Right & those in between; It’s easy to be divided by ideological hatred. The bigger question is; can you be united today for the right to love? #samesexmarriage isn’t just some trending hashtag. Not fighting for your brethren to have it is unconstitutional & inhuman..”
Other people, like Vir Das, Sumona Chakravarti, Tehnseen Poonawallah, Onir, and Varun Grover, also expressed support for the same-sex marriage act on social media.
Senior Attorney Mukul Rohatgi argued for the petitioners during the hearing and said, “The LGBTQ should have a right to a life of dignity and to the institution of marriage and family which is available to others.”
