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Can Same-Sex Marriages Be Legalised in India?

    Home blog Can Same-Sex Marriages Be Legalised in India?
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    Can Same-Sex Marriages Be Legalised in India?

    By Guest | Society | Comments are Closed | 24 September, 2020 | 0

    By Smarnika Srivastava

    Image Source: Pixabay

    The traditional norms of the Indian society cater to heteronormativity. This has been reflected in our larger attitude towards every conversation we tend to have about relationships or marriage. It is so deeply internalised that even our legal and judicial system follow it blindly as if there is no other possible reality. 

    There are several Indian religious laws, and a person can choose the law under which they want to get married. Unfortunately, these laws either have explicit mentions of heterosexual relationships by using connotations such as “husband”, “wife”, “man”, “woman” in conjunction with one another, or, the laws which are general have also been interpreted in a way which is only applicable to such relationships. The judiciary took a very long time to finally de-criminalise homosexuality through the landmark case of Navtej Johar v. Union Of India as late as in 2018, but sadly enough, the judgement does not do much in offering the same freedoms to same sex couples as it does to hetrosexual couples.

    In India, through several cases Courts have held that the right to marry a person of one’s choice comes within the ambit of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, 1950. The cases of Lata Singh v. State of Uttarpradesh (2006), Shafin Jahan v. K.M. Ashokan and Ors. (2018), and Shakti Vahini v. Union of India (2018), all  recognise the freedom of choice of a woman to marry a man outside of her caste or religion. This very concept of the right to choose a partner for oneself is also seen taking shape in cases concerning same-sex relationships, such as Navtej Johar v. Union of India (2018), Madhubala v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2020) and Chinmayee Jena v. State of Orissa (2020). 

    Although there is a definite change in the attitude of the judiciary towards acceptance of the legitimacy of same sex relationships, which can be witnessed in some judgements passed in 2020 itself, where the fundamental rights of the same-sex couples have been recognised and they allowed to live-in with each other, there still is a long way to go in terms of their inclusivity in marriage laws. Marriage as a concept still remains to be heterosexual in India, hence, the outcome is that same-sex couples do not get a lot of benefits which heterosexual married couples get. This leaves the LGBTQ+ community still demanding for an equal status in the society. 

    International Scenario

    As early as in 1967, the United States Supreme Court, in the case of Loving v. Virginia (1967)1, which struck down the ban on inter racial marriage, said that the freedom to marry is a personal right that should be available to all persons. It took many years for the United States to legitimise same-sex marriages, but finally, in 2015, in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges2), the US Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-sex  marriages and legalised same-sex marriages in 50 states. 

    By 2020, more than two dozen countries of the world have legalised same-sex marriages. Out of these, more than half counties are in Western Europe, including the United Kingdom, Netherlands, France and Spain. Other EU countries legally recognise civil unions which gives same-sex couples equivalent rights to married couples. Some examples of these countries include Italy, Greece and Switzerland. 

    In Asia, however,  LGBTQ+ rights are limited. In 2019, Taiwan became the first Asian country where the Parliament as well as the Constitutional Court legalised same-sex marriages.. Other countries like Israel, Japan and Hong Kong follow egalitarianism with respect to relationships by providing  benefits to same-sex couples such as  spousal privileges. On the other hand, unfortunately, about 20 Asian countries including Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates still consider homosexuality as a crime. Afghanistan enacted a new Penal Code in February 2018 which explicitly criminalises same-sex conduct. Whereas the in Islamic Penal Code of Iran, homosexual intercourse can be declared as a capital offence, which means that violaters of the law would be meted out with death as a punishment. 

    Quick Recap: Steps taken in India 

    Draft Uniform Civil Code, 2017

    A draft of Uniform Civil Code (“UCC”) was proposed in 2017 which defined marriage in a very wide manner, however, including the union between heterosexuals and homosexuals as well. It also defined partnership as living together of “any two persons”, thus giving some amount of legitimacy to live-in relationships between heterosexual couples as well as same-sex couples, without the burden of marriage. In many foreign countries, the idea of partnership or civil unions is recognised in order to give similar rights to same sex couples as those which come with marriages. Civil unions are arrangements that are legally recognised and are similar to marriage except the title of marriage itself in a way that the couple gets equal rights to that of a married couple such as the right to adoption, maintenance, inheritance etc. Though the UCC made way for the LGBTQ+ people to freely exercise their freedom of choice, there was no action taken upon it. They lost the opportunity to get an equal status legally, as well as in the society, thus, leaving them in the same oppressed conditions that they have been in since the longest time.  

    Constitutional Rights

    From a constitutional law perspective, what can also be argued after the Navtej Johar judgement, is that there is no intelligible differentia that permits law to discriminate between homosexuals and heterosexuals since it is based solely on their sexual orientation. It is itself discriminatory that homosexuals are seen as different from heterosexuals in a way that they are made to live in less humane manner where they cannot even freely express their desires. The fact that they are seen as unequal is itself arbitrary, since apart from their sexual orientation, there is nothing that differentiates homosexuals from heterosexuals. Such an arbitrary discrimination leads to a denial of personhood and equal rights to that of heterosexuals. In furtherance of this, it can be argued that the state has to recognize their rights to choose a partner of their choice regardless of their gender, lest they would be discriminating arbitrarily against homosexuals. 

    Legalisation of Same Sex Marriages in India: Solutions

    Given below are some solutions to push for the legalisation of same sex marriages in India.  Firstly, introduction of a new law or an amendment to the already existing marriage laws can be done. In India, the majority of rights such as marriage, inheritance and adoption are governed by religious laws cannot  be done away with and have been in practice by several communities for years. This is a major reason why the applicability of a Uniform Civil Code in India is still a highly debatable topic and seems off the radar for a long time to come. Therefore, the only feasible way for laws to be inclusive is  by amending the Special Marriage Act, 1954. This Act is a secular marriage law in India and an amendment can be made to it to remove the assumption of heterosexual nature of marriages for it to be inclusive of gender identities and sexual orientation and remove words like husband and wife, man and woman, etc.3 

    Secondly, a Public Interest Litigation could be filed in the Supreme Court of India to legalize same sex marriages. The case can be strengthened by using relevant provisions of the Constitution of India, 1950, including  Article 14 for right to equality and equal treatment, Article 15 for discrimination based on sexual orientation by taking the Navtej Johar case as a precedent, Article 19 for freedom to freely express their love and Article 21 for right to marriage as a fundamental right to life. There are many cases already being submitted to various High Courts, but PIL’s are the most effective way to raise issues of national and social importance.

    Alternate Scenario: System of Civil Partnership

    If in case same-sex marriages are refused to be recognised for times to come, a system of civil partnerships in India can also be demanded to be put in place so that LGBT+ couples get rights that are equal to that of heterosexual couples. Such a system of civil unions or partnerships will in turn make way for some new laws for same sex couples such as inheritance, adoption, etc. Civil unions or partnerships are considered to be equivalent to same-sex marriages in countries which have legalised it. Several European countries including the United Kingdom as well as South Africa have a system of civil-partnership in place. However, excluding the option of marriages and only providing civil-union rights to same-sex couples is itself discriminatory, since it provides the class of LGBTQ+ people an option which is considered to be lower than marriages. In India, even though the 2017 UCC tried to make the utopian dream of same-sex marriages or even the lesser alternative of civil-unions possible in the Indian legislative framework, it was completely disregarded, because of “constitutional protection extended to personal laws”. This is why India currently does not have any civil partnership system in place.

    The way forward

    The LGBTQ+ individuals are entitled to equality, freedom from discrimination and a right to have relationships with people of the same sex4 and also deserve to be given the same amount of legitimacy that heterosexual relationships. Just by merely decriminalising homosexuality, one cannot say that now people belonging to the LGBTQ+ community are at an equal footing to heterosexuals, since equality for them would not come about unless laws make way for spousal privileges for them, such as adoption, inheritance, maintenance etc. They have been treated in a very inhumane way and law has legitimised this oppression that is imposed on them by not taking any affirmative legislative action for protecting their interests. A true victory for same sex couples would only come about when they get equal rights to that of heterosexual couples and are placed at an equal footing without any arbitrary discrimination on the grounds of their sexual orientation alone. They must be treated equally in the eyes of law.    

    This is Part 2 of the two-part series on same- sex marriages which discusses about the International scenario with respect of same-sex marriages and how laws can be amended or introduced in India which are inclusive of LGTBQ+ community to provide them the equality that they long since deserve. Part I of the series discusses the attitude of the Indian society as well as the Indian legislative and judicial system on towards same sex marriages in India. 

    _____________

    Smarnika Srivastava is a fourth year BA, LLB student at O.P. Jindal Global University. Views are personal.

    1. Loving v Virginia (1967) 388 U.S. 1, 12[↩]
    2. 576 U.S. 644 (2015[↩]
    3. Nayantara Ravichandan. Legal recognition of same-sex relationships in India, Manupatra India. Available at: http://docs.manupatra.in/newsline/articles/Upload/B07BDF52-0AA4-4881-96AC-C742B9DB217D.pdf[↩]
    4. Breda O’Brien. Modern Families, 25. Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review, 97, no. 385 (2008) Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25660532.[↩]
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    Nyaaya - India's Laws Explained
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    Andhra Pradesh

    Girl Child Protection Scheme

    The Girl Child Protection Scheme is aimed at preventing gender discrimination by empowering and protecting rights of girl children through direct investment from the State Government. It provides a number of incentives to promote the empowerment of the girl child:

    • In case of a single girl child she is entitled to receive Rs.1.00 lakh after completion of 20 years of age.
    • In case of two girl children, both of them are entitled to receive Rs.30,000/- each, after completion of 20 years age.
    • Both “single girl child” and “two girl children” are entitled to receive Rs1,200/- per annum as scholarship from 9th class to 12th class (including ITI course) during their period of study, as a benefit under the scheme.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Bangaru Thalli Scheme

    Bangaru Thalli is a welfare scheme for girls launched by Government of Andhra Pradesh. The scheme supports the family of a girl from her birth till her graduation. All the Below Poverty Line white card holders are eligible for the scheme.

    Details of the scheme can be found in the Andhra Pradesh Bangaru Thalli Girl Child Promotion and Empowerment Act, 2013.

    Assam

    Manjoni Scheme

    Under this scheme, Rs. 5000 is deposited by the State Government at the time of the birth of a girl child and the girl would get the matured value of this fixed deposit when she turns 18. In order to be eligible for this scheme, the girl child must be born in a Government hospital and the family should have adopted the two child norm.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Bihar

    Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana

    Under this scheme the girl child gets financial assistance from her birth till graduation amounting to a total of Rs. 51,000. The funds will be dispersed over a period of time upon attaining a certain age and completion of certain prerequisites:

    • At birth: Rs 2000
    • Age 1 upon issuance of Aadhar card: Rs. 1000
    • Age 2: Rs. 2000
    • Passing 12th grade: Rs. 10,000
    • Graduation: Rs. 25,000

    These benefits are available to only 2 girls in a family and residents of Bihar. Girls coming from financially weaker backgrounds will be given priority. To apply to this scheme, the parents can visit the anganwadi centres, fill the application form and submit the necessary documents to the anganwadi workers.

    Goa

    MAMTA scheme for girl child

    With a view of improving the female sex ratio of the State, under this scheme an amount of Rs. 10000/- will be paid to all the mothers who deliver a girl child  (maximum 02 deliveries) in a registered medical institution. Eligible mothers can apply to the Child Development Project Officer through the local Anganwadi Centre with a copy of the Birth Certificate within 45 days from delivering the child. The benefits are directly credited to the declared Bank Account.

    There is an online application for this scheme. More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Gujarat

    Kunwarbai Nu Mameru Yojana

    The Ministry of Women and Child Development of Gujarat has launched a scheme called Kunwarbai Nu Mameru Yojana that offers financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 to only one girl of a family. However, this scheme has been started specifically for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes girls. Only those with an annual income limit of Rs. 1,20,000 (Rural areas) and Rs.1,50,000 (Urban areas) are eligible for this scheme.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Haryana

    Laldi Scheme

    The Ladli Scheme of Haryana is meant to provide benefits to biological parents who have no son (biological or adopted) but only daughters. This scheme is only available to those who are either domicile of Haryana or working for the State government, whose gross annual income of the family does not exceed Rs. 2,00,000.

    The pattern of this scheme is similar to the Old Age Samman Allowance scheme for the families having only girl children. The enrolment of families under this scheme commences from the 45th birthday of the mother or the father whoever is older of the two till their 60th birthday i.e. for 15 years (Thereafter they will be eligible for Old Age Samman Allowance). The rate of allowance provided is Rs. 1,800 per month.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Himachal Pradesh

    Indira Gandhi Balika Suraksha Yojana

    Under this scheme, the families adopting family planning methods after the birth of the first female child will be given a sum of Rs. 25,000 and those adopting family planning methods after the birth of two female children will be given a cash of Rs. 20,000.

    The health department of the Himachal Pradesh government also provides free of cost transportation either through taxi or ambulance for carrying pregnant women to the nearest hospital for delivery.

    Beti Hai Anmol Yojana

    Under this scheme, for all the families lying below the poverty line in Himachal and having one or two girls, a sum of Rs. 5100 will be deposited in the name of girls at the time of their birth. Moreover, to help in the education of such girls, scholarships ranging from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1500 will be given to them from class I to class XII.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Jammu and Kashmir

    Ladli Beti Scheme

    Under this scheme, financial assistance of Rs. 1000 per month is made by the Government from the birth of the girl child / account opening date for the next 14 years. For this, zero balance accounts have already been opened in the Jammu and Kashmir Bank in respective localities. This is only applicable to girls born on or after 1st April 2015, and whose parental income is less than Rs. 75,000 per annum.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Jharkhand

    Ladli Lakshmi Yojana

    Under this scheme, the State government offers a girl child from families below poverty line benefits of Rs. 1,80,600. An amount of Rs. 6,000 will be deposited annually into the girls account till she turns 5 years old. Further amounts will be added upon completion of higher education, marriage and so on, along with monthly allowances of Rs. 200 for girl students.

    Karnataka

    Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme

    With the idea of raising the status of girl children and promoting their birth in the country, the Karnataka government has come up with the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme. The scheme provides financial assistance to the girl child in families that lie below the poverty line through her mother or father who is subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions.

    The government of Karnataka offers the following benefits to the eligible candidates of this scheme-

    • The girl child gets a health insurance cover of upto Rs. 25,000 per month
    • The child gets an annual scholarship of Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,000, depending upon her age upto 10th standard
    • The parents get Rs. 1 lakh in case of accident and Rs. 42,500 in case of natural death of the girl child.
    • On completing 18 years of age, the parents of the girl child would be paid Rs. 34,751.

    Along with this, there are certain interim payments such as annual scholarships and insurance benefits that the beneficiary can avail upon continued fulfillment of the eligibility criteria. The grant of such facilities promotes the birth of girl children in economically weaker families and raises their status within the society.

    Kerala

    Education Assistance to Women Headed Families

    The scheme proposes to extend a helping hand to these families by way of providing financial assistance to the education of children by the State government.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

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