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ShareNew Delhi: A bunch of young prisoners in Tihar Jail had an unusually-large grin on their faces when they heard of the landmark judgment decriminalising homosexuality.
Believed to be Asia's biggest prison, Tihar is overcrowded with over 15,500 prisoners. Separated from their partners and denied conjugal rights, a significant number of the inmates are homosexual, jail sources told DNA.
"There are 11,000 men and 4,500 women prisoners. Sex in the jail is consensual, so authorities never get complaints," a senior jail official said. Sources said the over 1,500 inmates aged 18 to 21 years were elated with the news. But jail authorities are worried the judgment could result in a surge in homosexual inmates forcing themselves on others. "Now, we have to be more sensitive," another jail official said.
Jail authorities blamed "overcrowding" for the prevalence of homosexuality. Some cells even lodge 20 prisoners. They share toilets and sleep together.
The jail has roped in several NGOs for prisoner welfare and health check-ups. "The prisoners air their queries about sex at sessions held by NGOs," the jail official said, adding, "But now I think the jail authorities must ask the government to install a condom vending machine here."
