Why are we debating aberrations, says Sharad Yadav

Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav today said the debate over decriminalising homosexuality is unnecessary and people should focus on other "burning problems".

"It's not an issue," Yadav, MP from Madhepura in Bihar, said. "I consider it a non-issue. There are so many other problems in the country which require attention. We should concentrate on them... the burning problems the country is facing."

"From centuries in society some people are aberrations. But we never debated it," Yadav told the Press Trust of India.

In Patna, however, Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad denounced the Delhi High Court's ruling and said the Centre should appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court.

"I am dead against legalisation of gay sex and will strongly raise the issue in Parliament. Section 377 of the IPC should not be amended," Prasad said.

Asked whether homosexuality is still a crime, he said: "Yes, it is a crime... Such obscene acts should not be allowed in our country. Society is adversely affected. Such things which affect society should not be permitted at all... Government has a greater responsibility towards society."