Love, Law And Recognition: Rewriting The ‘Order Of Nature’
Aarshitha Unnikrishnan, The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi
Each culture around the world has its perception and perspective on marriage. For some, it is purely a contract; for others, it's a sacred bond between two loving souls. In Hindu tradition, marriage is often viewed as a sacramental union, formed not just between two people in this life, but between two families, binding the couple for the next seven lifetimes.
For an average Western or European couple, the process is refreshingly simple: the man loves the woman, she loves him back, and they decide to tie the knot. However, for people in India, who have mastered the art of overcomplicating simple things, a love marriage is anything but that straightforward. Falling in love is merely step one. After that, the guy’s family needs to like the girl, the girl’s family must like the guy, and as a cherry on top, the families must like each other. And if by some cosmic accident everyone’s still talking to each other, only then does a wedding happen.
All this drama is reserved for the society that deems a ‘normal’ marriage, but what about the other couple who do not fit in this ‘normalcy’?
Vikriti Evam Prakriti
The Sanskrit phrase ‘Vikriti Evam Prakriti’, found in Indic philosophical discourse, roughly translates to ‘what seems unnatural is also natural’. Since ancient times, albeit often begrudgingly, Indian society has acknowledged the existence of the LGBTQ+ community. And surprisingly, that acknowledgement didn’t always translate into hounding or ostracising them. While disapproval was common, Indian society, by and large, exhibited a degree of tolerance towards the queer community.
Ample evidence supports this cultural tolerance. The story of Shikhandi from the Mahabharata is about a warrior-born woman who was raised as a man and played a crucial role in Bhishma's downfall during the Kurukshetra War against the Kauravas. The Kamasutra, for instance, refers to lesbian women who married each other and raised children together, calling them Swarinis.
