Political parties steer clear of same-sex marriage topic

Ranchi: At a time when the state political parties have distanced themselves from taking any stand on the issue of homosexual marriages, socio-religious groups in the capital have started building a consensus to protest any such effort in that direction.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Ajsu Party, both leading regional tribal parties in the state have decided to keep away from the controversy. JMM central general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said they have decided not to take any stand over the issue. “Whether same-sex marriages be allowed or not should be left to the subject experts to decide. The apex court is hearing the matter, let them reach any decision after weighing the pros and cons,” he said.
Ajsu Party chief Sudesh Mahto refused to comment on the issue saying they are yet to discuss the matter.
However, Aadivasi Kalyan Mission Ashram on Friday convened a meeting bringing representatives of various socio-religious outfits on a common platform and decided to sternly oppose any effort to legalise same-sex marriage. President of the outfit, Sita Ram Bhagat, said a delegation would meet governor CP Radhakrishnan on Saturday and hand over a memorandum addressed to President Droupadi Murmu to convey the social sentiments. “Legalising same-sex marriage would have far-reaching consequences in a society like India where marriage is not just a legal contract but a part of socio-religious culture,” he said.
Sahdev Ram, an activist, said the judiciary is independent to review any social norm and tradition but since allowing marriage would require legislation by law makers, it should be dealt with by Parliament and democratically elected state governments.
Former president of Gurunanak School Management Society, Major Gurdayal Singh Saluja, and secretary, Shree Digambar Jain Panchayat, Ranchi Subhash Chandra Jain, were on the same page in describing same-sex marriage as “unnatural” and “unsocial”. “It will disrupt the social fabric and interfere with various other issues like child adoption, rights over property, family ties and legal heir,” Jain said.
President, Shwetambar Jain Terapanthi Sabha, Amarchand Begani, advocate at Delhi high court Neha Singh, officer at Ranchi University Abdul Bari Siddiqui and secretary Chinmay Mission Ashram Trust, Ranchi, senior chartered accountant Vinod Kumar Gadhyan discussed both religious standpoints and legal bearing of such law that may declare same-sex marriage as legal.