The Union government is not “disturbing” the personal freedom and activities of an individual, but the institutions of marriage is a matter of policy, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said on March 13, a day after the Centre filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court to oppose same-sex marriage.
Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament House on the Centre’s stand in the top court, he said, ”The government is not interfering in the personal life, personal activities of anybody. So there should be no confusion. When it comes to an issue related to the institution of marriage, then it is a matter of policy.”
“Personal freedom and personal activities of individuals, of the citizens are never being disturbed, regulated, questioned by the government. You must be very clear about it. There is a clear distinction,” he added.
On Sunday, responding to a clutch of petitions seeking legal validation of same-sex marriage, the Centre had filed its response, saying that same-sex marriage would cause havoc with the delicate balance of “personal laws and accepted societal values”.
The top court has now referred the matter to a five-judge constitution bench for adjudication and listed April 18 as the date for the final arguments on the matter.
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