PM to Ramadoss, Patil: Resolve gay sex differences

NEW DELHI: Upset over the constant squabbling in court between the health and home ministries over legalising homosexuality, prime minister (PM) Manmohan Singh has directed ministers Anbumani Ramadoss and Shivraj Patil to sit and resolve their differences.

The ministries have taken contradictory stands in their affidavits filed before the Delhi high court, which is hearing a PIL filed by Naz Foundation challenging the legality of IPC section 377 that bans same-gender sex terming it unnatural.

During a cabinet discussion on amending the section, PM remarked that it was embarrassing for the government if its ministries were taking different stands in court. The government should put up a united face, he said.

However, the cabinet deferred a decision on the issue since Ramadoss was not present. The health minister is pushing for radical changes in the law. His logic is criminalisation of men having sex with men has pushed gays underground, leading to spread of HIV/Aids.

However, the home ministry, which is the  main custodian of law, argues that repealing the law would “open floodgates of delinquent behaviour”.