Law Minister Rijiju on same-sex marriage: Govt won't intervene in personal life

• Rijiju said personal freedom and personal activities of individuals of the citizens are never being disturbed, regulated, questioned by the government
• He said, when it comes to an issue related to the institution of marriage, then it is a matter of policy
• Despite the decriminalisation of Section 377 of the IPC, the petitioners cannot claim a fundamental right for same-sex marriage to be recognised, Centre earlier said

Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Monday that the government was "not interfering" with the personal freedom and activities of individuals, but the issue regarding the institution of marriage was a matter of politics.

Rijiju's remarks came a day after the Center opposed legal validation of same-sex marriages in the Supreme Court.

Responding to a question about the Centre's stand in the apex court, Rijiju said, “The government does not interfere in anyone's personal life, personal activities. So there should be no confusion. If it is an issue related to the institution of marriage, then that is a matter of politics.” "Personal freedom and personal activities of individual citizens are never violated, regulated, questioned by the government. You have to be clear about that. There is a clear difference," he told reporters outside the parliament building.

The Center has opposed a spate of pleas in the Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage, saying it would wreak havoc with the delicate balance of personal laws and accepted societal values. Despite the decriminalization of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, the petitioners cannot claim the fundamental right to recognize same-sex marriage under the laws of the country, they said.

In its affidavit, the Center said that the institution of marriage between two individuals of the same sex is neither recognized nor accepted by any uncodified personal law or any codified statutory law. The state does not recognize non-heterosexual forms of marriage or union or personal understanding of relationships between individuals in society, but the same is not illegal, he said.