Hues of Hope, as a Center, Forms a Six-Member Panel to Examine Issues Pertaining to the Queer Community
The government has constituted a six-member committee to examine the issues faced by the queer community.
Image Source : Vox
As per the Supreme Court order in the Supriyo vs. Union of India case, the central government on Tuesday constituted a six-member committee to examine the issues relating to the queer community.
The six-member committee will be chaired by the cabinet secretary, with secretary, Department of Home, Ministry of Home Affairs; secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development; secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; secretary, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, being the members of the committee; and secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, being appointed as the convenor of the committee.
The notification further states to co-opt experts and other officers if deemed necessary.
The committee may examine and submit recommendations on the measures to be taken by the central and state governments to ensure that there is no discrimination in accessing goods and services for the queer community, measures that will prevent the queer community from being subjected to threats of violence, harassment, or coercion, measures that would ensure that queer persons are not subjected to involuntary medical treatments, surgeries, etc., including modules to cover the mental health of queer persons, measures to be taken to ensure that there is no discrimination in access to social welfare entitlements for queer persons, or any other issues as deemed necessary.
In Supriyo vs. Union of India, the five-judge bench led by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud of the Supreme Court refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages and also to strike down the Special Marriage Act 1954 for not allowing registration for same-sex marriages.
It was observed that the matter falls within the ultra vires of the Court and the intra vires of the Parliament, and hence the bench referred the decision regarding legislation to the Parliament.
During the hearing of the case, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the central government, assured the bench of forming a committee chaired by the cabinet secretary that will set out the rights that will be available to the queer couples in union.
The judgement produced by the top court stated that the committee shall include experts with domain knowledge and experience in dealing with the social, psychological, and emotional needs of a person belonging to the queer community, as well as members of the queer community.
The legal entitlements listed out by the court are to enable partners in a queer relationship to be treated as a part of the same family for the purpose of a ration card, to have the facility of a joint bank account with the option to name the partner as a nominee, jail visitation rights and the right to access the body of the deceased partner and arrange last rites, legal consequences of succession rights, maintenance, financial benefits such as under the Income Tax Act 1961, and rights flowing from employment such as gratuity and family pension and insurance.
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- Mohit Dalal, a graduate in Psychology currently pursuing a Master's degree in Journalism, is deeply intrigued by society and its norms. His interest in this captivating field has inspired a desire to excel in legal journalism. Mohit aspires to make significant contributions to the field of journalism, particularly in covering legal issues and related societal matters.
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