Urban Elite v. Union of India
The Unfulfilled Constitutional Promise of Marriage Inequality

What does it mean to be a queer lawyer? How should social impact and public interest legislation be undertaken? Is the legal profession a safe space for queer lawyers? What goes through the mind of a queer lawyer when homophobia is masqueraded as a legal argument?

Rohin Bhatt was studying law at the Gujarat National Law University when the Supreme Court gave its landmark judgment in Navtej Singh Johar & Ors. v. Union of India. The apex court was asked to determine the constitutionality of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, a colonial-era law which, among other things, criminalized homosexual acts as an ‘unnatural offence’. The verdict changed the lives of the LGBTQIA+ community in India, with activists and lawyers outside the court cheering as the news broke. But five years later, little has changed on the ground.

The Urban Elite versus Union of India is a first-of-its-kind book on queer rights not just of the courtroom, but of the author’s own life. In this book, they present the legal history of the fight for the decriminalization of Section 377, the arguments of the petitioners pushing for their right to marry (and the vicious opposition) and to have families of their own, as well as a story from the frontlines of litigating queer rights by a queer person that presents their own perspective of what it is like to be both personally and professionally involved in a case that had the potential to change the social fabric of this country forever.

Advance Praise For The Book

‘Across nations, the LGBTQI+ movement has been one of the most formidable campaigners for human rights. Their quest for equality in India will of course meet with success in our time; Bhatt walks us expertly through the battles of the present.'

Aakar Patel, Chair, Amnesty International, India

'This book is a passionate and loving celebration of the journey through its successes and setbacks for the right to equality of the LGBT community. The recreation of arguments in the courtroom surpasses anything we have seen in live-streaming. it ends on a note of hope reinforcing my belief that there will always be a stream of resistance from marginalised communities in constitutional courts, which till recently were out of bounds for them'

Indira Jaising, Sr. Advocate, Supreme Court of India

'A searing chronicle of a case, the state of the LGBTQIA movement and a deeply personal journey. With this book, bhat has claimed his space as a leading voice for the queer community.'

Saurabh Kirpal, Senior Advocate, High Court of Delhi

'For three decades, the battle for queer rights has unfolded in India's courts. The Urban Elite vs Union of India offers critical insights into the latest chapter of this struggle—marriage equality. This book is a call to action, urging us to turn judicial setbacks into stronger, more resilient political movements for the future.'

Anish Gawande, National Spokesperson, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar)

Reviews

This book is a must read to understand the legal battle for marriage equality

--Youth Ki Awaaz

Bhatt allows us to perceive the arguments through their well-trained lens, but also makes it possible for us to feel every beat, every insult, every disappointment, and every stolen piece of validation.

-- Indian Express

The book skillfully juxtaposes key historical moments with the marriage equality case, presenting them concisely and with a clear perspective. What makes it particularly compelling is the way these pivotal events are intertwined with personal anecdotes, adding depth and relatability to the legal narrative.

--The News Minute

Buying Options