More than 100 activists and organisations in Jharkhand have issued a statement in support of the demand for equal marriage rights and the freedom to choose partners, sexual and gender identity and relationships for all.
The move comes amid the Supreme Court hearing petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage. The hearing is scheduled to resume in the apex court on Tuesday.
The statement, initiated by Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, was issued on Saturday after the endorsement drive concluded on Friday evening.
Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha is a coalition of organisations to defend people’s rights and democratic values in Jharkhand.
“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,” a release issued by the Mahasabha stated.
Siraj Dutta, a member of the Mahasabha, said 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.
“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.
