NEW DELHI: Union minister Nitin Gadkari shared his views on live-in relationships, same-sex marriage, and marital norms in a recent interview on YouTube.
On being asked a question on live-in relationships, Gadkari voiced his concerns, saying, that they contradict societal values.
Recalling a visit to the British Parliament, Gadkari said he had asked UK leaders about the challenges their country faces. They reportedly identified the rise of live-in relationships over formal marriages as a major issue in Europe, with both men and women increasingly opting out traditional marital commitments.
“Live-in relationships are not part of our culture,” Gadkari said during the interview. “If you don’t marry, how will you have children? What will be their future? If you go against the societal structure, what impact will it have on people?”
While asserting that society ultimately determines its norms, Gadkari pointed out the need to address India’s sex ratio imbalance. He highlighted the potential consequences of a disproportionate sex ratio, suggesting, “If there are 1,500 women and 1,000 men, we may have to allow men to have two wives.”
The Union minister also said on the topic of the same-sex marriage, that it would lead to collapse of the social structure.
Gadkari also expressed his firm stance on marital rape, declaring it unequivocally wrong. “Wife/husband has consensual right,” he said, emphasising the need for respect and boundaries within relationships.