Madras High Court Judge, Justice N Anand Venkatesh, on Wednesday said that he would want to undergo an educational session with a psychologist to understand same-sex relationships better and pave the way for his evolution.
The Judge passed an order to this effect fixing an appointment with a psychologist.
He was dealing with what began as a plea for protection by a lesbian couple, in the wake of "missing girl" complaints filed by their parents who had objected to the same-sex relationship.
When the matter came up initially, the Judge had acknowledged that the matter has to be dealt with sensitivity and empathy and that it is a a sample case of how society, even now, is grappling to come to terms with same sex orientation.
In a rare moment, the Judge admitted subsequently that he is also trying to get over his own preconceived notions on homosexual relationships.
Taking a step further, the judge on Wedensday opined that it would do well for him to undergo an educational session himself with a psychologist. He, therefore, proceeded to record the same in the order:
"Insofar as the request made by the learned counsel for the petitioners for setting out guidelines in cases of this nature is concerned, I want to give myself some more time to churn. Ultimately in this case, the words must come from my heart and not from my head, and the same will not be possible if I am not fully “woke” on this aspect. For this purpose, I want to subject myself for psycho-education with (psychologist) and I would request the psychologist to fix a convenient appointment for the same. I honestly feel that such a session with a professional will help me understand same-sex relationships better and will pave way for my evolution. If I write an order after undergoing psycho-education, I trust that the words will fall from my heart," the order said.
During the earlier hearings, the parents of the couple had decided to drop the "missing girl" cases and the police assured the Court that the couple would not face any harassment from their side.
To resolve their differences, the Court had also directed that the parents of the petitioner-couple, along with the petitioners, to undergo counselling.
The Judge noted on Wednesday that the petitioners are now in touch with their parents and that the parents were able to understand the relationship between the couple better, although certain issues of concern remained in the parents' minds relating to the stigma attached to such relationships.
The Court also took on record the psychologist's opinion that the petitioners perfectly understand the relationship they have entered into and that there is absolutely no confusion in their minds about the same. It was also observed that they have a lot of love and affection for their parents and that their only fear is that they may be coerced into separation.
The Court observed that there was progress in the matter, and opined that another round of counselling may further aid the parties concerned.
"It must be seen how far the earlier counselling has impacted the minds of the parents and how far they are able to understand the relationship between the petitioners. Obviously, the evolution cannot take place over night and it requires continuous effort to bring in a change. Therefore, this Court deems it fit to direct the parents of the petitioners to undergo one more round of counselling with .... , Counselling Psychologist," the order said.
The Court proceeded to post the matter next on June 7. The Court also took on record the assurance of the State that the FIRs filed on the parents' complaint would be closed immediately.
"It is brought to the notice of this Court that despite the directions issued by this Court, the police are yet to close the First Information Report. The learned Government Advocate assured that the First Information Report will be closed immediately and reported before this Court," the Court recorded.
[Read the Order]