Antarvidya || Debra Thana Sahid Kshudiram Smriti Mahavidyalaya

LGBTQ Rights, Democracy and Indian Politics: A Crucial Intersection for Social Change

Sangeeta Bari
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Political Science, University of Kalyani
sangeetabari1@gmail.com

Submitted on: 15.11.2025
Accepted on: 28.06.2026

Abstract: The intersection of LGBTQ rights, democracy, and Indian politics represents a critical site of contemporary social transformation. India’s democratic framework, anchored in its constitutional morality, has been a primary battleground for LGBTQ inclusion. Landmark judicial interventions, notably NALSA v. Union of India (2014), which legally recognized a third gender, and Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018), which decriminalized homosexuality, have forged a new jurisprudence of dignity and equal citizenship. These legal victories, however, exist in a context of profound political ambivalence, where legislative silence, uneven policy implementation, and persistent societal stigma create a stark implementation gap (Tellis 42-43).

This paper explores the seeming contradiction at hand, looking at the ways in which the frameworks of democracy—from governing bodies to party politics and active public advocacy—navigate the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ equality. By placing India's journey within worldwide discussions about the relationship between sexuality and civic belonging (as theorized by Altman), the critique of aligning queer rights with nationalist agendas (Puar), and the shortcomings of relying solely on law (Tellis), the analysis maintains that the judiciary has played a fundamental role in affirming these rights through constitutional authority. Yet, the consolidation of these rights remains an unfinished project, contingent upon deeper democratic processes. Ultimately, it is sustained civic engagement, robust policy reform, and the democratization of social life—not litigation alone—that will determine the translation of constitutional promises into lived equality for all Indians.

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[30] Supriyo Chakraborty v. Union of India. Supreme Court of India, 2023.

Key Words: LGBTQ rights, democracy, Indian politics, social movements, constitutional law, citizenship, gender justice

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How to Cite

APA 7th Edition

Bari, S. (2026). LGBTQ Rights, Democracy and Indian Politics: A Crucial Intersection for Social Change. Antarvidya, 2(1), 28–35. https://doi.org/10.66182/antarvidya.v2.i1.004.2026

MLA 9th Edition

Bari, Sangeeta. “LGBTQ Rights, Democracy and Indian Politics: A Crucial Intersection for Social Change.” Antarvidya, vol. 2, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 28–35. https://doi.org/10.66182/antarvidya.v2.i1.004.2026

Published in
June 2026
Copyright © 2026 Sangeeta Bari (Author)
LGBTQ Rights, Democracy and Indian Politics: A Crucial Intersection for Social Change © 2026 by Sangeeta Bari is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

LGBTQ Rights, Democracy and Indian Politics: A Crucial Intersection for Social Change

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