Indian government creates committee to study rights for same-sex couples
The Indian Supreme Court seven months ago declined to grant legal status to same-sex marriages. At the time of the verdict, however, the Supreme Court instructed the federal government to establish a committee to address the myriad issues faced by the LGBTQ community in India.
These include matters such as pensions, joint property ownership, healthcare access, and child custody. In compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive, the Indian government on April 16 established a committee with Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gaubaappointed as its chair.
The committee, consisting of six members, will include secretaries from the Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Law Ministries. “The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its judgment dated 17.10.2023, in Writ Petition No.
1011/2022 Supriyo@Supriya vs. Union of India, has directed the central government to constitute a committee to be chaired by the Cabinet secretary to examine the various issues relating to queer community,” said the gazette notification.
