The Ministry of Law and Justice announced the formation of a committee aimed at addressing issues faced by the queer community.
About the Committee on Queer Community:
- The committee will be chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and will include senior officials from several key ministries:
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Ministry of Law and Justice
- Ministry of Women and Child Development
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- This formation is a direct response to the Supreme Court’s directives in the Supriyo v Union of India case of 2023, where the court held that there is no fundamental right to marry for LGBTQIA+ persons under the Special Marriage Act (SMA).
Responsibilities of the Committee
- The committee is tasked with implementing measures to ensure that individuals from the queer community can access goods, services, and social welfare schemes without discrimination.
It will also focus on protecting the community from involuntary medical treatments, violence, and coercion, promoting a safer and more inclusive environment.