‘Legalising same-sex marriage will have devastating impact’

A group of former judges of high courts on Wednesday issued an open letter saying the legalisation of same-sex marriage in India will have a devastating impact on society at large. “We are a group of former Judges, the conscientious and concerned citizens of India, having been exasperated and agonised over the continuous onslaught against the basic tenets of Bharatiya marriage traditions and family system by vested interest groups, write to you to draw your kind attention towards one such issue — legalisation of same-sex marriage,” the letter said. The letter said the issue is being considered by the Supreme Court and has gained momentum in the recent past in the country after being referred to a Constitution Bench. “The people of the nation, hailing from various strata of society across regional and religious lines, are deeply shocked by this western-tinted outlook that is being superimposed on Bharatiya society and culture to weaken the family system,” the letter said. The group of former judges said the marriage as well as the family system in India is sui generis. They opined that legalising same-sex marriage will strike at the very root of the family system and thus will have a devastating impact on society at large. Unfortunately, certain versed interest groups having no knowledge and regard of the civilisational importance of marriage have approached the court praying for legalising of same-sex marriage. Any attempt at weakening a great and time-tested institution should be opposed vociferously by society, the letter said.