According to the Indian government, marriage for all is an “urban and elitist concept”

On Tuesday, April 18, a dozen petitions were filed in India’s Supreme Court in support of a landmark lawsuit, currently pending, regarding the potential legalization of marriage for LGBTQI+ people. If the trial is successful, this measure would represent the biggest progress in LGBTQI+ rights since 2018, when a Supreme Court ruling removed a colonial-era law that criminalized homosexuality until then. India would thus become the second Asian country, after Taiwan, to legalize marriage for all.

A tug-of-war between the Conservative government and the judicial system, which is in favor of the cause

The trial, which is expected to last at least two weeks, reflects a real evolution in the way the LGBTQI+ community is perceived within Indian society. In recent years it has become more visible, especially through pop culture and the various pride marches organized in major cities across the country. As reported by Keeper, the population too better sensitized never before to equality issues affecting the LGBTQI+ community.

But, despite these certain developments, patriarchy and traditions still serve as cardinal values. The current nationalist government is the embodiment of this: on Monday, April 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court expressing his opposition to same-sex marriage and asking that the case simply be ignored by the court.

” a elitist urban concept »

” A valid marriage is only between a biological man and a biological woman. can be read in the text, which denounces a “ elitist urban concept », going against the religious and social values ​​of the country. Adding that this decision ” would seriously harm the interests of every citizen The government, which recently barred a lawyer from being promoted to the Supreme Court due to his sexual orientation, believes this case should be heard by Parliament and not the courts.

In addition to marriage, access to adoption for homosexual couples, as well as the right for trans people to have their relationships legally recognized, are also at the center of the debates. If the activists win their case, he would send a strong message, not just for LGBTQI+ couples, but also for the equality of all and the right to marry anyone, without distinction of gender, religion or caste. An especially powerful gesture, when we see interfaith and intercaste marriages being violently attacked by the Hindu nationalist right now in power.