Lok Sabha manifesto: Congress promises law to recognise civil unions between LGBTQIA+ couples

The manifesto was released just two weeks before the Lok Sabha polls to be held across the country (Image: PTI)

The Congress party will bring a law to recognise civil unions between couples belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, the party said on April 5. The announcement was part of the party's manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The manifesto, titled 'Nyay Patra', was released at the AICC headquarters in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

The party also said that it will expand Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution to prohibit discrimination on the ground of ‘disability’, ‘impairment’ or ‘sexual orientation’. It also aims to strictly enforce the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

"After wide consultation, Congress will bring a law to recognise civil unions between couples belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community," the party's manifesto read.

The party said it will take measures to ensure easy access to legal services for senior citizens especially in cases of neglect, abuse, abandonment, eviction and financial fraud. It stated that it will review the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, remove the deficiencies and enforce the Act.

The manifesto was released just two weeks before the Lok Sabha polls to be held across the country. Voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha election will be held in seven phases starting from April 19 to June 1 while the counting of votes will take place on June 4.

Congress, in its manifesto, said it will establish a National Centre of Research and Excellence for Special Education to ensure that quality education is imparted to children with special needs and children with disabilities.

As was done in Chhattisgarh, Congress will provide representation for persons with disabilities in local government bodies.

"We will implement a scheme to establish assisted living and care centres for the disabled in public-private partnership throughout the country," the party's manifesto read.