Over 100 activists and organizations in Jharkhand have expressed their support for equal marriage rights and the freedom to choose partners, sexual and gender identity, and relationships for all. This comes as the Supreme Court hears petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage, with the hearing set to resume on Tuesday.
Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, a coalition of organisations to defend people’s rights and democratic values in the state, issued a statement on Saturday after an endorsement drive concluded on Friday evening.
“More than 100 organisation representatives, social workers and conscious citizens have signed on the attached statement in favour of the legal right to marry LGBTQIA++ (all transgender and queer people, including homosexuals). The statement supports that transgender queer people should have the right to respect their partner, relationships, sexuality and sexual identity and this needs to be given legal recognition immediately,” the Mahasabha stated in the release, as reported.
“The Centre is adamant that transgender and queer persons should not get the right to marry. It is also unfortunate that while the BJP and its allied Hindutva organisations are opposing the LGBTQIA ++ campaign, the Opposition parties are silent on this. Now the representatives of different religions have come up against giving marriage rights to transgender and queer people. Many social organisations with Right-wing and fascist ideology are also showing resistance. It is also sad that the Bar Council of India itself is opposing it without any facts going against the constitutional thinking,” the Mahasabha release added.
“We believe that everyone, including transgender and queer people, has the right to choose their sexuality, sexual identity, relationships and partners,” it added.
Mahasabha member Siraj Dutta told The Telegraph that the activists would now approach Jharkhand-based political parties to clear their stand on the issue.
“We will be approaching the major political parties in Jharkhand with the endorsed statement of rights activists and organisations and seek their stand on the issue,” said Dutta.
Source : Live Mint
