India Rejects Legalisation of Same-sex Marriage Petition

 The Supreme Court of India has turned down a suit to recognise and legalise same-sex marriage in the country. A five-judge Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, deliberated on the suit(brought by more than 12 petitioners and campaigners) between April and May this year and announced its verdict today. The Bench unanimously agreed that there is no fundamental right to marriage and left it to Parliament to form legislation on same-sex marriage.

Read Also: Actor Van Vicker and Wife Celebrate 20th Anniversary

 In the course of the two-hour ruling which was steamed live across the nation, Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud said queerness is a “natural phenomenon,” and told the government to ensure the “queer community is not discriminated against because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.” The verdict pronounced by the Chief Justice was received with sadness and disappointment by the crowd gathered outside the courtroom that had hoped to celebrate India becoming the second Asian jurisdiction after Taiwan to legalise same-sex marriages.