Article Added On: January 19, 2005 - over 3 years ago
Title: PM steps into same-sex marriage debate in India
Author: CTV Staff
Publication: CTV News
Publication Date: January 01, 2005 - over 3 years ago
Faith Groups: Sikh
Themes: same sex marriage/blessing

Abstract: The same-sex marriage debate has followed Prime Minister Paul Martin all the way to India, after the spiritual leader of the Sikhs urged his followers to reject the legalization of gay marriage.

January 19, 2005

The same-sex marriage debate has followed Prime Minister Paul Martin all the way to India, after the spiritual leader of the Sikhs urged his followers to reject the legalization of gay marriage.

Two days before Martin arrived in New Delhi, Joginder Singh Vedanti issued an edict directing his followers around the world to reject the legalization of gay marriage. Vedanti said, "Same-sex marriage originates from a sick mind."

As well, the advisory body of the Sikh religion urged Canada's six Sikh MPs (four Liberals and two Conservatives) to "rise above petty politics and take a stand against same-sex marriage."

After meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday, Martin was asked by reporters about the controversy.

"This is a question of civil marriage, not of religious marriage," Martin told reporters.

"I would point out that we are a country of ethnic and religious minorities,'' the PM said. "And the purpose of the Charter of Rights is to protect minorities, to protect them against the oppression of the majority.''

At first, Singh declined to comment on what he said was a domestic Canadian political issue. But then he mused that same-sex legislation "would not have, I think, wide appreciation" in India.

Vedanti's unprecedented edict sparked a lively debate in the Indian press.

The Amritsar Tribune newspaper reported Martin was advised against visiting Amritsar, Sikhism's holiest city because he might not receive a warm welcome from religious leaders.

The paper wrote that such an insult "would hit the Liberal party hard politically because most of the Sikhs supporting it in Canada would turn away from it, keeping in view the posture adopted by the Sikh clergy.''

Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh said Martin's itinerary changed, dropping the scheduled