Calls for equal rights grow - 17th January 2023

Hundreds of people took part in Delhi's Queer Pride march as pressure grows to legalise same-sex marriage in India. Delighted to be taking part in Delhi's first Pride parade in three years, business executive Ajay Chauhan called for equality.

Ajay Chauhan: "It's time that we come out, as always, and raise our voices. Because Pride is just not a celebration, it is also is a protest, right. It is a very political statement going out to the government that there's a large community in play and their rights needs to be met. And we need to be heard equally."

Same-sex relationships only became legal in India in 2018 when the Supreme Court overthrew a law introduced 150 years ago. This had criminalised LGBTQ+ relationships with a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment.

People are now demanding measures which ensure the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

Ajay Chauhan: "Decriminalisation has only targeted one aspect of it. But there's a larger aspect where the rights are still not there with the LGBTQ community. So we need to really focus on those rights like inheriting properties together, opening bank accounts. Marriage is one big thing because once the marriage comes into play, all these other aspects of the rights will actually be met."

Mikali Singh: "And there'll be more acceptance because in society marriage is accepted."

In this largely conservative and devout country, attitudes are beginning to soften towards LGBTQ+ identities, at least among the urban middle class. LGBTQ+ characters now feature in Bollywood films and series. However, LGBTQ+ Indians who come out still risk being shunned by family, friends and in the workplace.

This is in contrast to India's cultural past. India has a heritage of equality according to university professor Akash Rathore.

Akash Rathore: "It is a high time for India to look for equality. If you see, historical India was always a place where we respected you, like, equality."

In March, India's top court will hear a number of petitions from LGBTQ+ couples seeking the same marriage rights as hetrosexual couples. A favourable ruling would make India just the second country in Asia to recognise same-sex marriage.