On same-sex marriage, Supreme Court Bar Association counters Bar Council of India

The Supreme Court Bar Association has objected to the statement made by the Bar Council of India in connection with the same-sex marriage case.

In a statement issued to the media, the SC Bar Association said, " the executive committee feels it is highly inappropriate for the BCI to issue a press statement opposing the heading of the matter before the Supreme Court. It is the duty of the court to hear the petition and decide whether the mater should be adjudicated by the court or left to the wisdom of the Parliament. This resolution in no way should be construed that we are opposing or supporting the petitioner in the matter."

A batch of petitions are being heard by the Supreme Court which seek to legalise same-sex marriages. The Centre has vehemently opposed these clutch of petitions and also questioned the maintainability of the same. The Centre has termed such demands as 'urban elite' views. It also said that it was up to the wisdom of the Parliament to decide on such matters.

The petitioners argued that non-recognition of same-sex marriage causes discrimination and denies the couple as citizens of the country. The Centre however countered the same and said that the accepted view is of a marriage between a biological man and woman.

The petitions were filed nearly five years after homosexuality was decriminalised. The pleas are being heard by a Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud in reference to the Special Marriage Act of 1954, which allows couples to register marriage, if they cannot marry under personal laws. While the matter has been heard at length for over a week, the next date of hearing has been fixed for May 3.