Marriage is an ancient institution that has existed in virtually every society. Therefore, it seems almost an innate feature of the social structure, an aspect of the human condition. But this statement hides the wide variations in the concept of marriage, both in its form and in its content as well as in its rationale. The song made famous in Frank Sinatra’s words would have us believe that love and marriage are two sides of the same coin – like a horse and carriage. Apparently, you cannot have one without the other!
Charming as this picture is, it is hardly true. Historically, marriage has been more about property rights and getting the right in-laws. Love was neither a necessary nor a sufficient reason to get married. Alliances were fixed between families without any intervention on the part of the couple. In India, in the context of the arranged marriage, this still holds true.
Prakasa states that arranged marriages serve six functions in the Indian community: ‘(1) It helps to maintain the social stratification system in the society; (2) gives parents control over family members; (3) enhances the chances to preserve and to continue with the ancestral lineage; (4) provides an opportunity to strengthen the kinship group; (5) allows the consolidation and extension of family property; (6) enables the elders to preserve the principle of endogamy.’
Nevertheless, the institution of marriage has changed undeniably. Once women became freer and more able to assert themselves, they also ventured out to choose their own partner.
Marriage lies at the intersection of society and the law. Societal traditions are crystallized into the rules relating to marriage by law. The law is however a dynamic concept. Inevitably the nature of marriage would change if there is a change in society. Consequently, the law would have to be amended to keep pace with this societal change. However, one cannot ignore that the supreme source of the law is the Constitution, and hence the egalitarian and liberating spirit of the Constitution must necessarily interact with social rules. Even if society does not change, the principles of the Constitution must nevertheless apply.
Also read: No link between marriage, motherhood — why more single women are opting for adoptions
The recent judgement decriminalizing unnatural sex was based to a large extent on the autonomous right of an individual to choose her own partner, regardless of sex. In an interesting passage, Chief Justice Dipak Misra speaking for himself and Justice Khanwilkar said that ‘There can be no doubt that an individual also has a right to a union under Article 21 of the Constitution. When we say union, we do not mean the union of marriage, though marriage is a union. As a concept, union also means companionship in every sense of the word, be it physical, mental, sexual or emotional. The LGBT community is seeking realisation of its basic right to companionship, so long as such a companionship is consensual, free from the vice of deceit, force, coercion and does not result in violation of the fundamental rights of others.’
The line ‘When we say union, we do not mean the union of marriage, though marriage is a union’ is particularly interesting. At first blush, the Chief Justice seems to suggest that Article 21 does not confer a right to gay marriage, just a union. But if union includes marriage, how can the right to marriage possibly be excluded from the fundamental right to life? The Chief Justice noted that ‘even marriage was not equated to procreation’ and hence, non-procreative sex could not be against the order of nature. That, of course, begs the question, if procreation is not the purpose of marriage, why deny that right that extends to heterosexual couples to gay couples?
Justice Chandrachud, who was party to the Navtej Johar judgement, had also authored a judgement in the privacy case. The privacy case in fact could reasonably be said to be the foundation of the Navtej Johar judgement. In several passages, he laid the groundwork not merely for the eventual overruling of the Suresh Kumar Koushal judgement but also for the recognition of gay marriage. Justice Chandrachud held that ‘family, marriage, procreation and sexual orientation are all integral to the dignity of the individual. Above all, the privacy of the individual recognizes an inviolable right to determine how freedom shall be exercised’.
Justice Sanjay Kishen Kaul held that ‘It is an individual’s choice as to who enters his house, how he lives and in what relationship. The privacy of the home must protect the family, marriage, procreation and sexual orientation which are all important aspects of dignity.’ Thus a majority of at least five of the nine judges who were party to the judgement held that people of alternate sexuality had a right to family life, which included marriage.
Since the issue did not directly arise in that case, the Court probably held back in ruling finally on the issue. Of course, how the courts rule once the matter comes before them is uncertain. Even the Union of India, though it did not oppose the petition in the Navtej Johar case, filed an affidavit stating that in case the Court was going to address the issue of gay marriage, it would have taken a different stand.
Also read: Can’t marry, but same sex couples have right to live together: Uttarakhand High Court
Even if individual marriages are easier to break up through liberalizing divorce laws, more people, at least in India, seem to be looking to get married. But why is love not enough? Why do people seek to get married?
The answer is not far to look. Marriage has real social and economic consequences. When two individuals get married, there is a state and a social sanction to the relationship. There are also mutual rights that the parties to the marriage have. For instance, one partner cannot simply walk away and marry someone else. There are clear pecuniary effects too. The laws of inheritance recognize a married spouse and give him or her a right in the property of the other spouse. There are insurance and tax benefits, which unmarried couples do not have.
These benefits, both instrumental and intrinsic, which extend to all married couples do not currently extend to same-sex partners.
Therefore, there has to be marriage equality to fulfil the Constitution makers’ promise to all Indians. Not only because all individuals are deserving of a right to choose their partner, but also because all women (and men) are equal.
Also read: Grindr, PlanetRomeo, Gayglers — corporate queerness reached India. But many still in closet
Rather like love and marriage, in the case of equality and dignity too, you cannot have one without the other. It is tough to imagine leading a dignified life with any sense of self-worth if you are treated as a second-class citizen.
That is precisely the point in the case of gay marriages. The inability to get married to your same-sex partner is an effective undermining of your right to choose your partner. It is also a violation of your right to equality when you see your heterosexual friend get married.
The Court has intervened in the case of inter-caste and inter-religious marriages to protect the choices of those who wish to get married so as to protect their right to dignity. The Courts have generally upheld their role as the sentinel on the qui vive – jealous and zealous guardians of constitutional liberties. But in the case of the latest battleground of marriage – same-sex marriages – the issue is open. The Constitution is ready for gay marriage. The question is whether the society and the courts are ready.
This excerpt from Sex and the Supreme Court: How the Law is Upholding the Dignity of the Indian Citizen has been published with special permission from Hachette India. Views are personal.
AJ. dev You didn’t get the point I guess. Scroll it over and read again.
So informative ! Awareness and education might bring the change since our Indian society is mostly unaware of the basic meaning if LGBT. In a society where people think Trans, Gay, Lesbians and Asexuals are same, you can hardly expect open mindedness. People have to realise that equality will not harm the intentions of somebody else. It’s personal for every individual.
We often forget the role of media in fights like these. The Supreme court will mostly grant sanctity to marriage between same-sex couples because that is only logical extension of FRs and its own judgements. However, the battle is bigger and harder in the realm of society. We can use media. The problem is that media tends to show pride parades as the only symbol of LGBT people. Which is extremely problematic. All that needs to be conveyed is that LGBT community doesn’t seek to destory the traditional family structure, if anything they too are asking for the same right to marry and rear children. Neither is homosexuality a disease that spreads and that lgbt ppl are out their to “convert” others. That’s it. Take this message to the People and the battle can be won. All the talk of individual rights, law, constitution are to be used in the courts. Not in the realm of society. Keep it simple for mass consumption. If this is sorted, political class will not interfere.
Why just gay marriage? Librandus should be allowed to marriage with animals also. Such as woman’s marriage with male dog, man’s marriage with pig etc. Essentially librandus should be able to do whatever they want to do. such as rape and murder in the name of freedom. This will give complete satisfaction to librandus. I suggest all librandus be dropped on to the Mars to enjoy life free from any civilized rule i.e. jungle life.
Ak.dev you sounds so rubbish who are you to make any civilized rule… And who gave you the right to decide what a individual do with his life…even the constitution of India uphold all the citizens rights and equality as all are equal. And you are talking about the rapes which are mostly done by heterosexuals. Atleast women in India are safer with homosexual people rather than heterosexual people. All individuals have there are to walk free and live free according to the law of India with equal rights.
You have no logic as well as no knowledge. Gay marriage happens after consent of two people. You guys can’t live your own life and concerned over others. Scientifically and psychologically, homosexuality and heterosexuality is accepted, but not others. So, don’t speak abruptly and with no clear and certain viewpoint.