07/08/2026
My view is simple. Under the current legal position in India, consensual same-sex relationships between adults are not a crime. That legal position should remain respected. However, decriminalization does not automatically require cultural acceptance or legal recognition in the form of marriage or a separate civil union law. Classical Indian religious texts, Sangam Tamil literature consistently present marriage, family, lineage, and procreation between a man and a woman as the normative social and religious ideal. From the Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Tirukkural, Tolkappiyam, and Sangam literature to later Dharmashastra traditions, the emphasis remains on heterosexual marriage and the continuity of family.
Until recent decades, same-sex relations were widely classified as a mental disorder in many parts of the world. Today, criticism of same-sex relationships is often labelled as “homophobia.” Whether one agrees or disagrees with that label, public debate should allow reasoned discussion about the social, cultural, and legal consequences of changing long-established institutions, rather than dismissing differing views with labels alone.
Those advocating a separate legal framework for same-sex unions should also address its legal consequences. If such a law creates a spousal relationship, would it also create rights relating to inheritance, succession, maintenance, adoption, pension, next-of-kin status, and claims over family property? These are fundamental legal questions that deserve careful public discussion rather than emotional or ideological reactions.
Even in several Western countries, there are ongoing debates about the social consequences of policies relating to same-sex relationships and about the appropriate limits of LGBTQ+ advocacy in areas such as education and public institutions. In my view, at a time when these issues continue to be debated internationally, it is unnecessary for the RSS leadership to advocate a separate legal framework for same-sex unions without considering India’s long-standing civilizational values, traditional family structure, and cultural heritage.
Respecting the dignity and legal rights of every individual does not necessarily require creating a separate legal institution for same-sex unions. In my opinion, the present legal position where consensual same-sex relationships are not criminal offences but do not receive separate legal recognition strikes an appropriate balance.
