Dimple and Manisha’s Unconventional Wedding Ceremony Reignites Same-Sex Marriage Debate in India.
In a groundbreaking and contentious event, the wedding of an LGBTQ couple in the northern state of Punjab has made headlines and ignited a fierce debate about same-sex marriage in India. Dimple, a 27-year-old who prefers the pronoun “he,” and Manisha, a 21-year-old, exchanged vows in a traditional Sikh ceremony held at a gurdwara, a Sikh temple, in Bathinda city on September 18th. This historic union challenges societal norms in a conservative country like India.
The couple’s wedding ceremony included all the customary Sikh rituals, which is a rare occurrence for same-sex couples in India. The event was attended by approximately 70 relatives and close friends who gathered to celebrate their love and commitment.
Dimple, hailing from Mansa district, and Manisha, a resident of Bathinda, come from remote areas where LGBTQ+ rights are infrequently discussed in public discourse. Their diverse backgrounds add another layer of complexity to their story—Dimple is an upper-caste Jatt Sikh, while Manisha is a Dalit Hindu. Their love story began at a garment factory in Zirakpur, near Punjab’s capital city, Chandigarh.
However, their wedding has not been without controversy. Some religious leaders, including Giani Raghbir Singh, the highest-ranking priest in Sikhism, have voiced strong objections to the union. Giani Raghbir Singh declared that same-sex marriage goes against nature and is contrary to Sikh ethical values. In response, he instructed the Bathinda gurdwara committee to suspend priest Hardev Singh, who officiated the wedding, along with three others from their duties until further notice. Hardev Singh has since been removed from his position.
This event has rekindled the broader debate surrounding same-sex marriage in India, where the legal recognition of such unions is still pending a Supreme Court verdict. While the wedding has sparked controversy, it has also served as a platform for discussions on LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance within India’s diverse and multifaceted society.
As this story continues to evolve, it underscores the shifting landscape of societal norms and the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in India. It is important to note that this is an ongoing story, and more information may emerge in the coming days.
The evolving conversation sparked by Dimple and Manisha’s wedding is shedding light on the complexities of tradition, identity, and love in contemporary India.
Resources:
1.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-66877902.amp
2.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66877902
3.https://m.timesofindia.com/india/same-sex-marriage-at-gurdwara-sparks-row/articleshow/103823050.cms
4.https://ceylontribune.lk/2023/09/26/india-lgbtq-wedding-sparks-controversy-in-punjab/