Christians Muslims oppose
move to legalize gay behavior ?????????
India has an estimated 4.5 million homosexual men andthey form 86 percent of HIV/AIDS patients in the country
The Indian government is silent on the issue of supporting the Delhi High Court judgment legalizing homosexual acts between consenting adults.
On Sept. 17, the federal cabinet reportedly agreed not to oppose the July 2 High Court judgment, but leave it to the apex court to take a final decision on the controversial matter.
On June 28, federal Law Minister Verapppa Moily announced the government willingness to re-consider the 1860 British colonial law. The government then asked ministries dealing with law, health and home affairs to review it, he said.
Various religious groups representing Christians, Muslims and a section of Hindus had challenged the High Court verdict. The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights had also raised similar concerns and filed a petition in the apex court against the judgment.
The court will hear the matter on October 1.
The government now seems reluctant to take a “pro-active” role on the issue lest it offends religious and other groups opposing the verdict.
The cabinet discussed a report, jointly prepared on behalf of the Home, Health and Law ministries. The report had endorsed the July 2 High Court judgment, saying it had merely legalized consensual activity among adult homosexuals.
“The High Court has merely read down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code to the extent of decriminalizing consensual gay sex, and has not struck it down,” the report stated.
The cabinet has decided to ask the Attorney General to assist the Supreme Court to arrive at an opinion “on the correctness” of the High Court judgment, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after the meeting.
Some ministers had reportedly told the cabinet that there was no need for the government to take an independent view on the issue but leave matter to the Supreme Court.
Most ministers agreed with Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy’s reported contention that the government should wait until the Supreme Court gives its decision.
Reddy also has reportedly said the court might take a view contrary to the proposed government stand, which could annoy a section of society.
Another minister, Farooq Abdullah, reportedly objected legalizing consensual gay sex, stating it would have adverse impact on society as whole.
The colonial law criminalizing “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” has been used against a wide range of sexual behavior including homosexual behavior, with penalties ranging from 10 years’ jail to life imprisonment.
On Sept. 17, the federal cabinet reportedly agreed not to oppose the July 2 High Court judgment, but leave it to the apex court to take a final decision on the controversial matter.
On June 28, federal Law Minister Verapppa Moily announced the government willingness to re-consider the 1860 British colonial law. The government then asked ministries dealing with law, health and home affairs to review it, he said.
Various religious groups representing Christians, Muslims and a section of Hindus had challenged the High Court verdict. The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights had also raised similar concerns and filed a petition in the apex court against the judgment.
The court will hear the matter on October 1.
The government now seems reluctant to take a “pro-active” role on the issue lest it offends religious and other groups opposing the verdict.
The cabinet discussed a report, jointly prepared on behalf of the Home, Health and Law ministries. The report had endorsed the July 2 High Court judgment, saying it had merely legalized consensual activity among adult homosexuals.
“The High Court has merely read down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code to the extent of decriminalizing consensual gay sex, and has not struck it down,” the report stated.
The cabinet has decided to ask the Attorney General to assist the Supreme Court to arrive at an opinion “on the correctness” of the High Court judgment, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after the meeting.
Some ministers had reportedly told the cabinet that there was no need for the government to take an independent view on the issue but leave matter to the Supreme Court.
Most ministers agreed with Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy’s reported contention that the government should wait until the Supreme Court gives its decision.
Reddy also has reportedly said the court might take a view contrary to the proposed government stand, which could annoy a section of society.
Another minister, Farooq Abdullah, reportedly objected legalizing consensual gay sex, stating it would have adverse impact on society as whole.
The colonial law criminalizing “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” has been used against a wide range of sexual behavior including homosexual behavior, with penalties ranging from 10 years’ jail to life imprisonment.
Gay rights groups in India have campaigned for years for a repeal of the law, saying homosexuality is not a perversion and the state has no business in regulating sexual affairs between consenting adults.
Christian and Muslim groups oppose the move saying homosexuality is against India’s culture and social mores.
India has an estimated 4.5 million homosexual men and they form 86 percent of HIV/AIDS patients in the country, Catholic Secular Forum, a Mumbai-based group, says. It warns that homosexual behavior would increase if it were legalized, and encourage “manipulative, dominating, coercive, under age and unsafe sex.”
India is one of the few secular democracies in the world that still criminalizes homosexual acts. Other states that do are mostly Islamic or authoritarian regimes. China lifted its ban in 1997
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