Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan governments have opposed the legalisation of same-sex marriage in India.
Four other states – Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and Sikkim – said they will need more time to examine the issue, Bar and Bench reported on Wednesday.
The states expressed their views in reply to a letter issued by the Union government on April 18, seeking their opinion on the same-sex marriage case before the Supreme Court.
In its reply, Andhra Pradesh informed the apex court that it held consultations with the heads of various religions in the state and all of them opposed the idea of legalisation of same-sex marriages.
According to Assam, recognising same-sex marriage will be seen as a challenge to the validity of laws related to marriage and personal laws enforced in the state.
Rajasthan said that same-sex marriages will create an imbalance in the social fabric and have far-reaching consequences on the family system.
The top court is hearing a batch of petitions seeking to legalise same-sex marriages. The Union government has opposed the petitions and urged the court to let Parliament decide on the subject.
The same-sex marriages are not compatible with the Indian idea of family and that the demands for their legal recognition represent “urban elitist views for the purpose of social acceptance,” Union government has argued in the court.
