The Supreme Court in India will soon rule on the opening of same-sex marriage. Mohan Bhagwat is the leader of an influential Hindu movement and has ties to the ruling party. He now advocates for LGBTQ rights.

Bhagwat argues that LGBTQ people, like everyone else, have the right to live like everyone else, Reuters news agency reports. They should be able to have their own social place based on Hinduism.

COURSE CHANGE

Bhagwat’s organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, was the foundation of Narendra Modi’s political career. That is the current Prime Minister of India. Modi’s Hindu nationalist party has always opposed same-sex marriage.

Now that Bhagwat has spoken out for more lbhtq rights in India, Modi may change course.

SAME RIGHTS

India’s Supreme Court will hear a case this month in which four gay couples had asked for marriage to be opened up. They want the same rights as married couples in terms of medical clearance, pensions, adoption and joining certain organizations.

The Indian government is expected to make its position on the opening up of marriage and LGBTQ rights to the court. And who knows, thanks to Mohan Bhagwat, it may turn out in favor of LGBTQ people.