Mother places ad seeking groom for son

In an unprecedented move, a woman has placed a matrimonial advertisement in a newspaper looking for a groom for her son, raising eyebrows and sparking a heated debate on social media.

The advertisement published in a city tabloid on Tuesday said, “Seeking 25-40, Well-placed, Animal-Loving, Vegetarian GROOM for my SON (36, 5’11”) who works with an NGO...” The man in question is activist Harish Iyer.

The ad created a heated debate in social media with gay and lesbian activists supporting the move of Padma <g data-gr-id="23">Iyer,</g> while others slammed the same-sex marriage concept saying homosexuality is illegal in India.

When asked about the sensation it created, 36-year-old Harish said: “I am not bothered about the consequences, such as whether it is legal or illegal in our country. But I believe in my right to choose the partner of my choice.”

Harish, who himself is an LGBT activist, said, “I may not call my future partner as my husband...I may not have legal sanctity to my relationship, but I will certainly be living a peaceful life as a good and caring friend with my partner.”

He praised his mother saying, “I’m proud of her. It was her idea. My mum was like: ‘You don’t have a boyfriend, you’re not so young.’ She was concerned about her ageing son like any Indian mum would be, irrespective of whether he is homosexual or heterosexual.” Homosexuality was in effect re-criminalised in India in 2013.