Archive · 7 Aug 2026
India needs same-sex companionship laws, says RSS chief Bhagwat
The leader of a big organization in India called the RSS talked to young people in Mumbai.
He said people who love people of the same gender are part of society and deserve laws to protect them.
But he said marriage should only be between a man and a woman.
He thinks marriage is important for having children and building a strong society.
He worried that letting same-sex couples marry would disturb the system and cause conflict.
He also talked about India's neighbors, Pakistan and China.
He said people should listen to the government during conflicts and try to stay peaceful.
He said a rule called reservation, which helps groups treated unfairly, should stay until discrimination ends.
He told women they are equal and important in society and in the RSS.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said India needs decisive rules and laws for same-sex companionship.
Bhagwat opposed same-sex marriage, arguing it would undermine the traditional institution of marriage and create conflict.
He said members of the LGBT community are part of Indian society and should be provided a place.
On conflicts with Pakistan and China, Bhagwat said people should follow what the government says while remaining harmonious and peaceful.
Bhagwat said reservation remains necessary as long as social discrimination exists and should not become a subject of politics.
- Who
- Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
- What
- Called for laws on same-sex companionship while opposing same-sex marriage; also commented on conflicts with Pakistan and China, reservation, and women's role
- When
- Thursday, at an event in Mumbai
- Where
- Mumbai, at an event organised by the India International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN)
- Why
- Bhagwat argued that in Bharatiya society marriage is an institution for nurturing good progeny and building a strong society, so same-sex marriage should not be regarded as marriage.
Supporters of LGBTQIA+ marriage equality
RSS and traditional marriage advocates
Same-sex marriage
Supporters of LGBTQIA+ marriage equality
LGBTQIA+ members, who are part of Indian society, should have same-sex marriages recognised on par with traditional marriage as a matter of equal rights.
RSS and traditional marriage advocates
In Bharatiya society, marriage is an institution for nurturing good progeny and building a strong society; recognising same-sex marriage would disturb the existing system and create conflict.
- Speaker
- Mohan Bhagwat
- Organisation
- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
- Event
- India International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN)
- Location
- Mumbai
- Same-sex companionship
- Supported need for decisive rules and laws
- Same-sex marriage
- Opposed; said it would create conflict
- Reservation
- Necessary as long as social discrimination exists
- Women's role
- Equal and complementary