‘If two people are happy in same – sex marriage, why should anyone object?’

Manisha, a graduate, entered a same-sex marriage with her partner, 27-year-old Dimple from Mansa at gurdwara Kalgidhar Sahib on September 18 as per the rituals performed under Anand Karaj (wedding ceremony).

It was a momentous occasion, the families of both the women were present and the marriage was solemnised after their consent. The women, ahead of the wedding, had submitted their Aadhaar cards, mentioning their genders as female. A marriage certificate issued under the letterhead of the gurdwara allegedly described one of the partners as male. Dimple had arrived at the gurdwara dressed as a traditional Sikh groom, wearing a turban.

However, their union soon became a subject of controversy when political parties began objecting to it. Finally on Monday, Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, blacklisted priests Hardev Singh and Ajayab Singh, ragi Sikandar Singh, tabla player Satnam Singh, and the management committee of the gurdwara for five years.

The decision was announced by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh after a meeting of the ‘Panj Singh Sahibans’ (five Sikh clergymen) at Amritsar. The incident that occurred just last month added to the ongoing debate around same-sex marriage in India.

Priti Rani, in anticipation of the Supreme Court’s verdict on Tuesday said that she is clear that there should be a law around same-sex marriage. “I am still not able to properly understand the verdict of the Supreme Court. I have called a few journalists who covered our daughter’s marriage. At least, I am sure that there should be a proper law for same-sex marriage,” says Priti Rani, who was initially reluctant of the idea.

The Supreme Court, however, on Tuesday deferred the decision to the Parliament.

After both girls decided to marry, Dimple urged her parents to take the first step and propose the marriage to Manisha’s family. Dimple, who goes by the pronouns he/him and is their only child, always wore a tomboyish look, sporting a short haircut. Even at the marriage, she donned a turban like a Sikh groom while Manisha dressed up as a Punjabi bride.

“I am content with how society has responded to our daughter’s marriage. People shouldn’t interfere in others’ choices. Some did pass some remarks but I dealt with those my own way,” says Rani.

Dimple and Manisha’s marriage wasn’t just a same-sex union; it also crossed caste boundaries. Dimple came from an upper-caste Jat Sikh family, while Manisha hailed from a Dalit family. Yet, their love conquered all obstacles. Dimple’s first girlfriend was their mutual friend and Manisha and Dimple bonded after her breakup. They now live as a couple and work in Zirakpur.

“I first learned about the concept of LBGT about two years ago when a similar marriage in Jalandhar was widely reported. That’s when my daughter told me about her relationship. I was initially against it as I have four children, including three daughters and worried who will marry the others. I gradually opened up to the idea when we were approached by Dimple’s family. Now my two daughters are married and I am happy that they found their soulmates,” says Rani, adding that Manisha would often tell her that she was not comfortable around men. In an interview shortly after their marriage, Dimple had said, “I was never comfortable with the idea of marrying a man. I always had feelings for women. Initially, my parents were hesitant, but they eventually agreed. In 2017, I found a job in Zirakpur, where I made friends who understood my feelings. I also educated myself by watching informative videos on YouTube.”

Rani added that their relatives and friends have also been supportive after the marriage. “A few people in our neighbourhood had passed some snide remarks, but I handled these my way. I took Dimple and Manisha to a religious ceremony for Ganesh Chaturthi in our locality to show our support. I wanted to make it clear that I stand by them. My husband works at a construction site and we both wanted our child to be happy, so we supported her. My son-in-law is also very supportive. We don’t care about anyone’s opinion. There should be a law for same-sex marriage. Children should be allowed to make this choice,” she says.

Meanwhile, speaking to the Indian Express, priest Hardev Singh said that he didn’t realise Dimple was a girl as she was dressed as a Sikh groom. However, Dimple said that she had informed the priests that it would be a same-sex marriage, and they allowed it after discussing with others at the gurdwara.

Earlier in 2005, the Akal Takht had issued a ‘hukamnama’ (order) against same-sex marriage when Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti was the Jathedar. He had then urged the Sikh community not to allow such marriages at any gurdwara.