The gay movement that has recently gained momentum with the ‘open letter’ drafted by author Vikram Seth and signed by the likes of Soli Sorabji and Amartya Sen, is now aiming at garnering support from Members of Parliament and educating them on the subject of homosexuality
NEW DELHI: The gay movement that has recently gained momentum with the ‘open letter’ drafted by author Vikram Seth and signed by the likes of Soli Sorabji and Amartya Sen, is now aiming at garnering support from Members of Parliament and educating them on the subject of homosexuality.
Gautam Bhan, gay rights activist and active member of the movement, explains, “We are sending out information kits to all MPs across party lines about the gay movement in India. The kit has details of international laws and rights as far as the gay community is concerned. Till now we have received support of people from all walks of life, Bollywood actors, legal experts, writers and authors. We’ve had members of the Planning Commission speaking in our favour, but not a single MP or minister to support us.”
Apart from the kit, the MPs will be requested to be part of an eminent list of signatories. Reacting to the issue, Congress MP Milind Deora says, “I do not know what the official stand of the government will be, but my personal view is that as a society we have to be liberal, understanding and accommodating. I don’t believe in suppressing what is there and being in denial of something. As a democracy we cannot have any discriminatory policies.”
BJD MP Jay Panda adds, “At least a year and a half ago, I did not see any consensus on this issue. I am not sure even now there would be consensus in Parliament. But awareness should ultimately lead to a positive change. This initiative should help the community. I wouldn’t mind putting my signature to the letter.”
The open letter that was launched few weeks ago seeks to draw attention towards striking off Section 377 from the Indian Penal Code that makes homosexuality a crime. Activists are hopeful that with this initiative, it will be easier to break ice with the government that has avoided open discussions on the subject.
A senior minister in the government who do not want to be named said, “We cannot have a stand because of the conservative society we live in. We’re a country of hypocrites.”
BJP’s Prakash Jawrekar dismissed the matter saying that there are other important issues that need to be looked at. “This is a Western problem and does not concern us. We will be in a position to react only once the government makes its stance clear on the issue.”
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