Baba Ramdev set to challenge HC verdict legalising gay sex

Baba Ramdev set to challenge HC verdict legalising gay sex

'The decision of the HC, if allowed to sustain will have catastrophic effects on the moral fabric of society.'

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev will be approaching the Supreme Court on Wednesday challenging the Delhi High Court judgement legalising gay sex among the consenting adults.

The petition is likely to be filed tomorrow, lawyers associated with Ramdev said. Lawyers Suresh Sharma and Gandharva Makker said the petition assailing the High Court verdict was to be filed on Tuesday but was delayed due to "unavoidable circumstances".

They said the yoga guru has challenged the July 2 judgement contending that homosexual activities are not only against public morality, public health and healthy environment but also against the interest of the society.

"...homosexual activities which are otherwise unnatural there is high risk of exposure of a large chunk of population to dangerous sexually transmitted disease including HIV/AIDS," the petition, likely to be filed, said.

"The decision of the High Court, if allowed to sustain will have catastrophic effects on the moral fabric of society and will jeopardise the institution of marriage itself. This offends the structure of Indian value system, Indian culture and traditions, as derived from religious scriptures," it said.

Ramdev, quoting Spanish psychiatrist Enrique Rojas, contended that homosexuality is a disease that is curable.

"It can be treated like any other congenital defect. Such tendencies can be treated by yoga, pranayam and other meditation techniques," he said in the petition.

The High Court, in a landmark verdict, legalised gay sex among consenting adults, which was earlier an offence under Section 377 of Indian Penal Code with punishment up to life imprisonment.