Nowhere in the world where homosexuality has been decriminalised has marriage equality been implemented within five years. So, expecting such a quick transformation in India - an even more complicated situation given personal laws - was unrealistic.
Kumar Kartikeya
Editor
In the Indian context, marriage has special cultural and religious importance, and refusing it may exacerbate the stigma faced by same-sex couples. After hearing the matter for weeks, the judgment on same-sex marriages is to be pronounced soon.
In the first reading of the bill, there is no mention of the word sedition as it was in Indian Penal Code. However upon a closer look, it is clear that sedition is not particularly removed as an offense, but it has been reworked under section 150 of Bhartiya Nyaya Samita. The proposed clause 150 tightens the statute of sedition under a new nomenclature.
During the last several years, the ED has come to possess powers like those of a law enforcement agency, and it has frequently been charged with turning its attention to political rivals of the Union government.
Legislators may be charged with defecting from a party if they willingly renounce their membership in accordance with the rules of the anti-defection statute. The law doesn't define this phrase, leaving it up to the interpretation of courts.
Advertisement
Newsletter
Signup for Outlook and get curated content to your inbox everyday.