The centre calls accepting the "same sex" marriages as an "urban elitist concept", that is not acceptable in every part of the country.

It has challenged the demand for recognition of same-sex marriage. The centre pointed out that the concept is maligning the social ethos of the country and affecting the religious aspects which are linked with heterogeneous marriage.

In an application filed with the Supreme Court, the Centre questioned the court's competence to entertain petitions seeking to extend the concept of marriage beyond heterosexual unions, arguing that it would amount to creating a new social institution.

It even said that such rules can only be construed by the competent legislature, not the judiciary.

It  also stated that marriage is an institution that can only be created, recognized, and regulated by the competent legislature, and not through judicial adjudication.

It further argued that the recognition of same-sex marriage would require broader consideration of the views of rural, semi-rural, and urban populations, religious denominations, personal laws, and customs governing marriage.

"Question concerning legal recognition of same-sex marriage and its parity with the existing concept of marriage, which is an exclusively heterogeneous institution governed by existing legal regime and has a sanctity attached to it in every religion in the country, seriously affects the interests of every citizen,” it said.

The Centre's stance sets the stage for a contentious legal battle between the judiciary and the government on the issue of same-sex marriage in India.

Source - TOI