Same-sex marriage: Metropolitan cities, towns, and rural areas!

Jayesh Rane

(jayeshsrane1@gmail.com)

The country’s apex court has become increasingly busy. The reason for saying this is that the doors of the Supreme Court are being knocked repeatedly because of the political turmoil that is going on in Maharashtra. Moreover, when will the local municipal corporation elections be held? These points are long-pending. Both of these topics are being discussed in the country. Now there are new discussions on the issue of same-sex marriage. Everyone wants justice. This needs to be underlined.

The Supreme Court rejected the recognition of same-sex marriage and bought to notice that ‘the court has no power to make laws’. The role of the Supreme Court is to interpret existing laws and determine their enforcement. Saying this, the ball has been tolled to Parliament for further action. Parliament has the power to amend laws relating to marriage. Similarly, the Supreme Court has also said, ‘The Central Government can form a committee and take a decision’.

Let’s say, even if there is a discussion about this in Parliament, will it be easy in terms of legal approval? This is the question. But the possibility of intense ideological conflict would be ruled out during the discussion. Why is that? Let’s see it. Congress MPs Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tiwari have expressed their support for same-sex marriage on a personal level. Tiwari says same-sex couples can live together after a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court struck down Article 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Living together will no longer be a crime. At such a time, the creation of a law to legitimise these relationships is a natural consequence. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has openly supported same-sex marriage.

In this country of 142 crore people, the number of couples who are eager for same-sex marriage is negligible. There is no doubt about it. Now how do I recognise this? This is the basic question. If we think about the people around us, how many people are there who are interested in same-sex marriage? In fact, it is noticed that most of these people are in the rich class and below that, in the upper middle class. This will quickly become apparent after a little careful consideration. Then, what about the number of them in the poor class? To get an answer to this question, the financial side should also be considered. It seems necessary. ‘Same-sex relationships are not just an urban or upper-class affair. To think like this is to reject them in a sense. A same-sex relationship is a matter beyond one’s caste or class, said the Chief Justice.

Whenever same-sex marriage seekers and same-sex attractions have demonstrated their demands, their wealth is striking. When considering their overall living conditions, e.g., high clothes, expensive cars owned by some of them. Should we pay attention to this or not? Because it’s easy to do drama for anything, but drama for money cannot be done. Things like demonstrations happen publicly in front of everyone. So nothing is hidden there. In such a place, people from villages come and participate. It does not appear so. Therefore, it is not persuasive for the Chief Justice to say, ‘This is not only a matter related to the upper class’. In rural areas, one does not read or hear that anyone has raised their voice about same-sex relations. Rural areas should not be dragged into this matter. How can it be taken for granted if something related to this point has been observed in some rural areas? Then, too, taking the same thread, no one can conclude that ‘it is happening everywhere, like in cities’.

Same-sex marriage has a lot of support in urban areas. Even for this, the focus can be on the metropolitan areas of the country. It can also include non-homosexuals. This subject has no place in rural areas, and it feels true. For that, the social situation can also be taken into account. Don’t just listen to what is said from the front and sit cold. One should inquire in four places by stressing the intellect. Moreover, what is the condition of the families in the village where we live? This should be contemplated. What is going on in the community outside? It can be known later. But what is going on around us? This will be answered. So much can be done if questions are to be answered.

In metropolitan cities, everyone is struggling to live as freely as they want. There is no hesitation in breaking up with family members for that. There is a greater tendency to do so when some financial capability has been achieved. Until then, the days are pushed by matching with the parents, and once enough money is in hand, Then the decision to suddenly leave home and live separately is announced by the person whom the parents have nurtured till yesterday like a sore on the palm of their hand. Then it might be in the case of live-in relationships or same-sex attraction. Now, see, the Supreme Court has said same-sex people have the right to choose their partner and live with them. So can it be called a live-in relationship? The only difference is that couples living together are of different sexes, and this has been recognised by the Supreme Court. In October 2018, the Kerala High Court allowed a lesbian couple to live in a live-in relationship. This has also happened. Seeing all these khichdi, sometimes it seems that our village is better.

A live-in relationship has been approved by the Supreme Court. So to blame them is like scratching your own itch to face legal action. The financial condition of this couple seems to be good. Also, same-sex people can be added to this. That’s why they make the decision to stay with their favourite partner. Why not say so?

What is a same-sex marriage? Many people in the country don’t know about it. So far, what has the court said about it? The dust from this subject is flying more and more in urban areas. Rural areas are being flooded with unseasonal rains, wet droughts, and dry droughts. Many farmers have committed suicide. When will this stop? Farmers’ families are waiting for this. This question is mainly asked by the families left behind after the suicide of a family member. As the agricultural product does not get the proper market price, many times the original investment made to grow the crops does not turn out to be a profit. Then the farmer gets angry. Sometimes farmers get angry and throw away farm produce on the road and also give that produce to people for free. Agriculture is still the main source of livelihood in rural areas. Although it is said that development is taking place, no government has been able to prevent farmer suicides. In such rural areas as ours, there is neither interest nor desire to think about same-sex marriage.

Sexual exploitation of women and girls, harassment of farmers by moneylenders, frenzy of thieves, load-shedding, unemployment, problems of public transport facilities, lack of quality education, lack of good roads and bridges, unclean drinking water, etc. are the problems of rural areas. Please pay attention to solving them. Rural areas should not be defamed in the name of same-sex relationships.