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Shashi Tharoor questions delay in LGBTQIA+ rights panel's work

Shashi Tharoor questions delay in LGBTQIA+ rights panel's work
Shashi Tharoor questions delay in LGBTQIA+ Panel's work · thehansindia.com

Long ago, India's top judges decided that people who love someone of the same gender deserve fair treatment.

The judges asked the government to create a special group, called a committee, to look into the problems these couples face.

The committee was set up more than two years ago.

But since then, it has only had two meetings and has not shared a single idea or report.

A leader in India's Parliament named Shashi Tharoor asked the government to explain what the committee has been doing.

The government's answer showed that the committee had almost stopped working.

Tharoor said this means the government is not really trying to help same-sex couples.

He explained that simple papers and advisories do not give people real rights, like fair housing, jobs, healthcare, or family benefits.

He wants the committee to finish its work so that everyone is treated with fairness.

Key facts

Committee
High-Powered Committee on issues concerning same-sex couples
Meetings held
2
Last meeting
More than two years ago
Recommendations/reports submitted
None
Formed pursuant to
Supreme Court's judgment in the Supriyo case
Question raised by
Congress MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor
Parliamentary mechanism
Unstarred question in the Lok Sabha

Quotes

Dr. Shashi Tharoor

Senior member of the Lok Sabha and Congress MP

“The Government's reply to my question lays bare the utter failure of the High-Powered Committee constituted pursuant to the Supreme Court's Supriyo judgment and more importantly, the Government's complete lack of political will to address the concerns of same-sex couples and secure meaningful rights for our fellow citizens in the LGBTQIA+ community.”
thehansindia.com
“The interim measures cited by the Government cannot substitute for meaningful legal reform. Advisories do not create rights. They do not guarantee equal access to housing, employment, healthcare, inheritance, joint financial benefits, next-of‑kin recognition, medical decision-making or public services.”
thehansindia.com

Sources

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