Congress Promises Law to Recognize Civil-Union of LGBTQ+ Couples, Check Other Major Points in Its Manifesto

New Delhi: In its manifesto for upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Congress promised to formulate a law to recognize civil unions between couples belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, if the party came to power.

However, a civil union does not have the same recognition in personal law as marriage, so a ‘civil union’ is not equal to marriage. Civil union refers to the legal status that allows queer couples specific rights that are normally conferred upon married couples.

In 2023, a Constitution bench of the Supreme Court refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriage in a 3-2 ruling.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, in his minority verdict, said constitutional authorities should carve out a regulatory framework to recognise civil unions in a same-sex relationship.

The majority verdict, delivered by Justices SR Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha, said that it was for the legislature to formally recognise and grant legal status to same-sex relationships.

On Friday, the Congress manifesto was released by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi.

Other Key points in the manifesto are:

*Right to apprenticeship. This will make it mandatory for private and government companies to provide a one-year apprenticeship for every diploma holder or graduate below the age of 25.

*Legal guarantee for MSP for agricultural produce.

*Constitutional amendment to raise 50% cap on reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs.

*10% quota in jobs and educational institutions for economically weaker sections.

*Cashless health insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh.

*A nationwide socio-economic and caste census.

*Urban employment programme guaranteeing work for the urban poor in reconstruction.

*Abolishment of the Agnipath scheme and resume normal recruitment in the armed forces.