New Delhi: Indian sprinter Dutee Chand has voiced her disappointment over the Supreme Court’s decision not to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages, stating that this decision has disrupted her wedding plans.
Dutee, who came out as lesbian in 2019 and became the first Indian athlete to revea; a same-sex relationship, is optimistic about the Parliament passing a law that permits same-sex marriages.
“I plan to marry my partner Monalisa. But the decision of the apex court has upset all plans. I have been living with Monalisa for five years. We are happy together and as adults, we have every right to make our own decisions. We hope Parliament passes a law allowing same-sex marriages,” Dutee was quoted by Times of India.
A five-judge Constitution Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, on Tuesday refused to grant any legal sanction to same-sex marriage.
The Supreme Court gave decision with a 3:2 majority, holding that a civil union cannot be recognised under the Constitution.
The judgment rendered by CJI DY Chandrachud said that the right to marry is not a fundamental right but a construct of the legislature.
Notably, in 2018 Supreme Court struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, decriminalising same-sex relations between consenting adults.
(IANS)
