Marriages can take place between two opposite genders: RSS GS Hosabale

RSS General Secretary said the Centre is not interfering in the personal life, and personal activities of anybody.

Dattatreya Hosabale, General Secretary of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has said that the organisation agrees with the Centre's view on same-sex marriage.

"Marriages can take place between two opposite genders. In Hindu life marriage is 'Sanskar', it isn't for enjoyment. Two individuals marry and have a family for benefit of society...marriage neither for sexual enjoyment nor contract," ANI quoted Hosabale as saying.

The Centre has opposed in the Supreme Court a batch of pleas seeking legal validation of same-sex marriage, saying it would cause complete havoc with the delicate balance of personal laws and accepted societal values.

Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Monday the government does not "disturb" the personal freedom and activities of individuals but the issue related to the institution of marriage was a matter of policy.

Responding to a question on the Centre's stand in the top court, Rijiju said, "The government is not interfering in the personal life, personal activities of anybody. So there should be no confusion. When it comes to an issue related to the institution of marriage, then it is a matter of policy." "Personal freedom and personal activities of individuals of the citizens are never being disturbed, regulated, questioned by the government. You must be very clear about it. There is a clear distinction," he told reporters.

Despite the decriminalisation of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, the petitioners cannot claim a fundamental right for same-sex marriage to be recognised under the laws of the country, it said.

On asking about Rahul Gandhi's criticism of RSS, Hosabale said, "I think there is no reason to comment on it. They follow their own political agenda. Everyone knows the reality of the RSS. As a prominent leader of the Opposition, he should express more responsibility."

During his visit to the UK, Gandhi had accused RSS as "fundamentalist" and "fascist" organisation and alleging that it has captured pretty much all of India's institutions.

"The nature of democratic contest in India has completely changed and the reason is that one organisation called RSS - a fundamentalist, fascist organisation has basically captured pretty much all of India's institutions," he added.