August 6, 2026: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said that members of the LGBTQ+ community are an integral part of society but maintained that India is not yet socially prepared for the legalisation of same-sex marriage.
Responding to a question on same-sex marriage, Bhagwat said the LGBTQ+ community "is part of the society to which we all belong" and noted that Indian society has traditionally accommodated diverse communities.
VIDEO | Mumbai: On being asked about the legalisation of same-sex marriage, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says, "...The LGBTQ community, or whatever is part of the society to which we all belong. In our society, there has been a tradition of accommodating them...Marriage, or vivaah, is… pic.twitter.com/uJ9JHQVUom
On being asked about the legalisation of same-sex marriage, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says, "...The LGBTQ community, or whatever is part of the society to which we all belong. In our society, there has been a tradition of accommodating them...Marriage, or vivaah, is not, in our tradition, merely a convenience created so that two people can live together. It is an institution that creates a family. The family is the basic unit of society, and it is within the family that the next generation is trained to become good citizens of the country...We have to have a system in place first. If we disturb the existing system without having a new one, it will create conflict. Secondly, we cannot mix these things. We have to prepare society first because laws do not dictate society; society dictates laws. So, we must educate society first. That stage has not yet been reached. At this stage, if we tamper with the institution of vivaah, it could create other side effects..."
