Difficult Word/ Phrase | Contextual Sense |
Liberty | Freedom of choice |
Sanction | Official permission or approval |
Discrimination | Unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice |
LGBTQIA+ | lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual |
Overturn | Rule against |
Deposition | a pretrial interrogation of a witness; usually conducted in a lawyer’s office |
Havoc | Violent and needless disturbance |
Conform | Be similar, be in line with |
Arduous | testing powers of endurance |
Entrenched | Established firmly and securely |
Stigmatise | classify or describe as disgraceful |
Ostracize | Avoid speaking to or dealing with |
Chip away | Remove or withdraw gradually: |
Sphere | A particular environment or walk of life |
The Supreme Court has sought the Government’s response to appeals to allow same-sex marriage under a special law, in another bid to provide legal sanction (Official permission or approval) to widening social customs. A Bench of CJI D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli agreed to hear two partners who said the non-recognition of same-sex marriage amounted to discrimination that struck at the rights of LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) couples. The petitioners cited the Special Marriage Act, 1954, which provides a civil marriage for couples who cannot marry under their personal law. Listing the case for hearing, the Court also transferred cases pending before several High Courts to itself. It is a first step towards same-sex marriage, which has been legalised in 30-odd countries, including the U.S. where this July the House of Representatives approved legislation to protect such marriages. This legislative action came amidst concern that an aggressive Supreme Court could revisit settled laws after it overturned (Rule against) Roe vs Wade on abortion rights. After the K.S. Puttaswamy verdict (2017) which upheld the right to privacy and Navtej Singh Johar (2018) that decriminalised homosexuality, there was hope that same-sex marriages would follow, but that has not been the case. At depositions (a pretrial interrogation of a witness; usually conducted in a lawyer’s office) in courts and outside, the Centre has opposed same-sex marriage, and said judicial interference will cause “complete havoc (Violent and needless disturbance) with the delicate balance of personal laws”.
This is perhaps one of the reasons why the Supreme Court may consider allowing same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act, and not several other personal laws such as the Hindu Marriage Act. Over the past few years, it has passed a series of judgments that challenged conservative society and brought hope and expanded the scope for people who do not conform (Be similar, be in line with) to age-old social norms. Eventually though, even if the Court rules in its favour, the march towards equality for the LGBTQIA+ community will be long and arduous (testing powers of endurance). Enforcing something like same-sex marriage in a diverse country with varying customs and traditions will not be easy. Social mindsets are conservative and so well-entrenched (Established firmly and securely) that anyone who feels differently is stigmatised (classify or describe as disgraceful), humiliated and ostracised (Avoid speaking to or dealing with). Together with the Court, more needs to be done at the societal level to chip away (Remove or withdraw gradually) at conservative views on sex, gender, women and the LGBTQIA+ community. Alongside the call for legalising same-sex marriage, activists have been seeking the extension of the benefits of a traditional marriage to same-sex couples, including the right to adopt children. As people’s relationships change, and society undergoes transformation, constitutional rights on freedoms and liberties must extend to every sphere (A particular environment or walk of life), including a same-sex couple’s life.
Want to improve your vocabulary further? Download the Lists of Word-Meanings of Previous Months here.
This article we are providing the SBI Clerk 2024 Super Special Mock Test Challenge, Candidates…
Get the Hindu Editorial Vocabulary for 23rd December 2024 & discover the toughest words and…
SBI PO 2024 Notification is expected to be released in January. Know SBI PO Recruitment…
The SBI PO Cut Off 2024 will be released after the conduct of the SBI…
In this blog, we have provided the SBI PO Syllabus 2024. Candidates must go through…
In this blog, we have provided the SBI PO Selection Process 2024. Candidates must check…