India's Supreme Court says it has no authority to legalize same-sex marriage

India’s Supreme Court said on Tuesday (October 17) that it had no authority to legalize same-sex marriage, adding that any reform on the subject would have to be passed by Parliament.

“It is the domain of Parliament and state legislatures to decide on marriage law,” said Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud.

Mr. Chandrachud added that India still has a duty to recognize same-sex relationships and protect them from any form of discrimination.

In 2018, a landmark ruling overturned a colonial-era law that banned same-sex sexual relations, and last year the court ruled that unmarried partners or same-sex couples had right to social benefits.

But the rights of the LGBTQ community remain a sensitive subject in Indian society, which is deeply religious and conservative.