Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has ignited debate regarding live-in relationships and same-sex marriages, labeling them as societal deviations that threaten traditional values. In a YouTube podcast, he expressed concerns about their implications on family structures, child-rearing, and society’s future. His remarks reflect a conservative viewpoint amid India’s changing stance on LGBTQ+ rights and social norms.
New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has sparked a debate with his remarks on live-in relationships and same-sex marriages, calling them deviations from societal norms that could disrupt the social structure. Speaking in a podcast on YouTube, he highlighted concerns over the implications of these trends on society and its future.
Recalling his visit to the British Parliament, Mr. Gadkari mentioned being informed about a growing trend of live-in relationships in the UK, which he described as a significant societal problem. He questioned:
“If you don’t marry, how will you have children? What will be the future of such children? If you go against the societal structure, what impact will it have on people?”
He further emphasized that while society evolves its own rules, such arrangements do not align with India’s traditional values.
Addressing the topic of same-sex marriages, Mr. Gadkari expressed concerns that these unions could “lead to the collapse of the social structure.” His remarks come in the context of India’s evolving stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down Section 377, decriminalizing consensual gay sex. However, in 2023, a five-judge bench declined to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages, asserting that changes in law fell within Parliament’s jurisdiction.
Highlighting demographic challenges, Mr. Gadkari stressed the importance of maintaining a balanced sex ratio. In a hypothetical remark, he said:
“If there are 1,500 women and 1,000 men, we may have to allow men to have two wives.”
While he denied the need to ban divorces, he reiterated:
“Live-in relationships are not good.”
Mr. Gadkari’s comments have reignited discussions on balancing traditional values and evolving societal norms. His focus on the future of children, the institution of marriage, and maintaining a stable social structure reflects a conservative perspective that resonates with a segment of Indian society.
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