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ShareMumbai: Home Minster P Chidambaram plans to repeal the 150-year-old law, introduced in India by the British. Will the anti-gay law, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, finally be scrapped? DNA asks people and experts.
High time a 150 year old law be reformed
Let's understand that homosexuality is not a 'Western concept', it's not a disease nor is it a trend. Decriminalising section Section 377 of the IPC (that treats private consensual intercourse between same-sex adults as a crime) does not imply that gay men and women will be out in the open and that you might be embarrassed by our 'acts'. Aren't the laws that are made before a century need to be altered? It is not a modern day disease and it has always existed in out countries as well as India too. In fact several Rajasthani and Moghul paintings that depict homosexual encounters.
Many homosexuals are highly productive and successful individuals. So why aren't the other aspects of gay people not considered and people choose to focus on our sexual orientation?I am glad that now at least we have some Bollywood actors giving their support to our 'minority community'.
Let's understand that loving someone of your own sex is not wrong. Young children will not be corrupted and are not wrong if they want to read or know a little more gay people its normal. Let's not follow the age old prejudice and myths and take a logical stand on this issue.
- Name withheld on request
Decriminalise section 377 at the earliest
The government decision to start discussing on the long pending issue of decriminalising section 377 of IPC is a welcome move. But this is just the first step and the government is still talking about the matter. I think however that the implementation and making any law favourable for us will take long time.
Government has started taking up other issues seriously, like child abuse and male rape and other health social issues. Our demands for now are minuscule. If it's legal for an adult to have consensual sex with their partner then the same law should apply to homosexuals as well. A sexual relationship with a gay partner with mutual consent shouldn't be termed as a crime.The prevailing law was not made by Indian lawmaker. We are carrying Britisher's law in our constitutions which is not practically right in India.If government is thinking about changing the law then they will have to consider whole lot of issues related but for now just decriminalising the law is required and the other aspects can be looked in to later.
- Vikram Doctor. Organiser, Gay Community
Several aspects that need to be considered
The step taken by the government to amend the law which is looked as 'anti gay' can't be termed as a very bold step. Although the home minister, P Chidambaram expressing an opinion that favours the repeal of Section 377 is appreciated.
This law only implies that sexual relationship between homosexuals will not be recognised as a criminal act. But there are various other details which are still not clear, whether the government is considering marriage law, property law for the gay partners, about the sex before marriage and about the male rape or child abuse.
It is important that the constitution also specify details whether the gay partner will have rights over the property of his or her partner. So there are legal as well as health issues that need to be considered.
The question about the legalisation of gay marriage then arises. So basically, thegovernment needs to consider these factors as well while changing the law. If government just decriminalise section 377, then it will raise many other questions related to gay in our society. The government needs to take other various aspects of gay law into consideration as well.
- PA Sebastian. Secretary, Committee for protection of democratic rights
"We are living in the 21st century and we ought to change our laws according to it. One cannot be punished for his or her sexual preference. We should understand that it's not a crime but is as natural as any heterosexual relationship."
- Manisha S
"We need to repeal the law the criminalises homosexuality. The whole world recognises homosexuals as people rather than freaks. In India we talk about secularism, about abolishing the caste system, and then we find other reasons to discriminate people."
- Rohan D
"We are not living in the 18th century so we need to change with time and give everyone the right. It will give thousands homosexuals a reason to come out in the open and live a respectful life rather than suffer to please the world."
- Pooja Seth
"It's sad that gays don't have any protective law in our country. Whether society accepts or not is the secondary issue. But least there needs to be some laws that are in favour of gay people."
- Arpit Sharma
