New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear a clutch of pleas seeking legalisation of same-sex marraiges in India. Earlier in March, the apex court transferred the matter to a five-judge bench asserting that the issue is of “seminal importance”.

Centre Opposes

As there are a number of petitions moved to the top court, the Centre has strongly opposed the very concept of same-sex marriage as it thinks and submitted to court that it is mere an urban elitist view for the purpose of social acceptance.

The central government further said that it is not upto the court to rule on the issue but the legislature needs to decide whether or not the marriage of Homosexual couples should be allowed.

Protection of right to equality, privacy and dignity

Meanwhile, as many as 20 petitions are scheduled for hearing along with several intervention pleas by individuals, activists and organisation have urged the bench to allow legal recognistion to the same-sex marriage and other rights available to married couples.

The petitions filed by same-sex couples have sought protection of their right to equality, privacy and dignity.

Homosexuality was decriminalised in 2018 but no family rights were extended to them.

The plea will be heard by the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud along with Justices S K Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, P S Narasimha and Hima Kohli.