According to a recent Pew Research Centre survey, 53 per cent of adult Indians support legalising same-sex unions. The survey found that 28 per cent of those in support of such a union "strongly favour" it, while 25 per cent “somewhat favour" the idea. However, 31 per cent of Indian adults "strongly oppose" and 12 per cent “somewhat oppose" such marriages, while 43 per cent of Indian adults "completely oppose" them.
The results come from the most recent study conducted by Pew Research Centre between February 20 and May 22 of this year in 24 nations throughout the world to learn how people feel about same-sex marriage. Given that the majority of adult Indians (53 per cent) support making same-sex marriages legal, the survey results for India may be a boost for same-sex couples and others who support their cause.
The Supreme Court is currently deliberating on the matter with a five-judge panel hearing the case. However, the Union government has resisted the legalisation of same-sex unions, claiming that doing so violates Indian culture and the heteronormative framework that governs sexual relations. While homosexuality is currently legal in India, marriage between two homosexual adults is still not legally recognised. The study results for India also challenge the Bar Council of India's (BCI) claim that "more than 99.9 per cent of people in the country are opposed to the idea of same-sex marriage." The BCI stated that the data it released were based on its own survey. However, it has never released a survey report that details the methodology, sample size, and other data points. Mentioning that there is overwhelming opposition (99.9 per cent) to the legalisation of same-sex marriage, it had passed a resolution that called upon the apex court from adjudicating on same-sex marriages. The BCI, in line with the government’s view, had appealed to the top court to desist from hearing the pleas seeking legalisation of same-sex marriage, terming it “highly inappropriate”. It had rather said the issue of marriage equality between heterosexual and homosexual couples is left to the legislative process.
Globally, it has been discovered that Sweden, where 92 per cent of adults favour it, and Nigeria, where only 2 per cent do, have the highest and lowest levels of support, respectively, for legal same-sex marriage. People in Western Europe stand out as staunch supporters of same-sex marriage, with at least eight in ten adults supporting it in Sweden (92 per cent), the Netherlands (89 per cent), Spain (87 per cent), France (82 per cent) and Germany (80 per cent). In each of these countries, same-sex marriages are legal. On the other hand, only 41 per cent of adults in Poland and 31 per cent in Hungary support same-sex marriages. In North America, roughly eight out of ten Canadians (79 per cent) support same-sex marriage, as do 63 per cent in both the United States and Mexico. All three countries recognise same-sex marriage. In South America, 67 per cent of Argentinians and 52 per cent of Brazilians approve homosexual marriage. Both countries have also made same-sex marriage legal. In Asia-Pacific, over three-quarters of respondents in Australia (75 per cent) and Japan (74 per cent), respectively, support legal same-sex marriage. While same-sex marriage is legal in Australia, it is not in Japan. Same-sex marriage is illegal in South Korea, and the issue is making headlines. In South Korea, 40 per cent support legal same-sex marriage, while 59 per cent oppose it. Same-sex marriage is strongly condemned by Indonesians. Only 5 per cent of Indonesians favour same-sex marriage.
The survey also discovered that in 12 of the countries polled, those under 40 are more inclined than senior people to accept homosexual marriage. Other countries, however, do not have as substantial age gaps. Similarly, women in 14 nations are more likely than men to support gay and lesbian marriage being legalised. According to the survey, persons with more formal education are more likely than those with less education to support allowing homosexuals to marry in 17 of the examined countries.
The poll examined and recorded sentiments regarding a range of demographic variables, including age, gender, political ideology, and whether respondents believe religion to be essential in their life.