Same-Sex Marriage: Bar Council Of India Passes Resolution Opposing Legal Recognition

The Bar Council of India has passed a resolution opposing the legalisation of same-sex marriages.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Sunday (April 23) passed a resolution opposing the legal recognition of same-sex marriages. Earlier on Thursday, the Supreme Court hinted that it might redefine the "evolving notion of marriage" as the next step after decriminalising consensual homosexual relationships, which implicitly acknowledged that same-sex people could live in a stable marriage-like relationship.

A five-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud heard a slew of petitions seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriage and rejected the argument that, unlike heterosexual couples, same-sex couples cannot properly care for their children.

In its resolution, the Bar Council of India stated that "the Joint meeting is of the unanimous opinion that in view of the sensitivity of the issue of same-sex marriage, having a spectrum of stakeholders from diverse socio-religious backgrounds, it is advisable that this be dealt with after an elaborative consultation process involving different social, religious groups by the competent legislature."

"Any decision by the Apex Court in such a sensitive matter may prove very harmful to our country's future generation. There is no gain in stating that the issue at hand is highly sensitive and that it has been commented on and criticised by various sections of society, including socio-religious groups, for being a social experiment engineered by a select few," the statement said.

"This, in addition to being socially and morally reprehensible. The responsibility of making laws has been delegated to the legislature by our Constitution. Laws passed by the legislature are unquestionably democratic because they are the result of extensive consultation and reflect the views of all segments of society. The legislature is answerable to the people," it said further.