Same-sex marriage verdict: what Centre said while opposing legalisation

The Centre in its various submissions and arguments in Supreme Court has repeatedly opposed the legalisation of same-sex marriages in India.

The Modi govt has argued that marriage is an 'exclusively heterogenous institution'. It maintains that marriage is a sacred institution in India and only valid 'between a biological male and a biological woman.'

The Centre has also told the Supreme Court that only the Parliament is the appropriate authority to decide whether same-sex marriages should get legal recognition.

It argued that legalising homosexual marriages would involve rewriting of an entire branch of law and therefore the Supreme Court should refrain from passing 'omnibus orders'.

The Centre said the petitions seeking legalisation of gay marriage 'reflect urban elitist views for the purpose of social acceptance'.