– Our Correspondent
New Delhi, October 19: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind(M) on Wednesday welcomed the Supreme Court ruling on the same-sex marriage, saying the court’s ruling reinforces preservation of the traditional institution of marriage, which has been a fundamental pillar of society for centuries. The court declined the appeal to legalise same-sex marriage, asserting that same-sex couples do not possess a fundamental right to marry. The court arrived at this decision after carefully examining the arguments presented by various social, governmental, and religious organisations during the hearings held between April and May.
Maulana Mahmood Madani, President of JUH(M) said it underscores the importance of upholding the moral and ethical principles that have long defined our cultural identity. Jamiat, which was a party in the case, commended the court for its discerning judgment in maintaining a delicate balance between the protection of individual rights and the preservation of our cultural ethos.
Noted lawyer Kapil Sibal represented JUH(M), presenting compelling arguments from both social and religious perspectives. Advocates MR Shamshad and Niaz Ahmad Farooqi were also part of the Jamiat’s legal team led by Sibal in this case.
In the verdict, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud pointed out that the matter fell beyond the court’s jurisdiction and emphasized that the Parliament should legislate on matters related to marriage. Recognizing the complexity of the issue, the five-judge constitution bench highlighted that altering a single law would not suffice, as numerous other laws, including those related to religious personal laws, are intricately interconnected.
The public interest case, which included over 18 petitions, received significant attention during the live-streamed hearings to ensure transparency. Chief Justice Chandrachud was joined by Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Ravinder Bhatt, Hema Kohli, and PS Narasimha on the five-judge bench.
