» Story
 
  SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
Gay equality: SC gives Centre 11 days to respond
A Vaidyanathan, Sunetra Choudhury, Thursday July 9, 2009, New Delhi

Tell us where you stand on decriminalising gay sex in 12 days. This was the Supreme Court's order to the Centre on Thursday.

The potent issue that's being nationally debated was in court after S K Kaushal, an astrologer, filed a PIL against the recent Delhi High Court verdict decriminalising homosexuality.

Says Arvind Gopal, the lawyer for Naz Foundation: "We were happy after the HC verdict but knew there would be opposition.. we are hoping for the best"

"You cannot deny someone his fundamental rights because of sexual preference. It is incorrect to say our petition represented the whims of a few people," he adds.

There is no stay in High Court judgement. However, after getting responses from Centre, Naz Foundation, Delhi government and others, the Supreme Court may consider the petitioners plea for staying high court judgement on July 20

And that's what many of the religious leaders are also hoping. On Thursday, they came together to speak on the issue.

But despite pressure from all sides, for now at least the government remains evasive.

Says Law Minister Veerappa Moily:  "We are analysing the judgement. We will get the notice and respond accordingly."

The case comes up for hearing now on the 20th of July.

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend     
Comments: Read | Post
Tags: 377, Gay rights, Supreme Court gay law
Comments
Posted by Karan on Jul 11, 2009
It is a proven fact that homosexuals have nearly twice the amount of disposable income as compared to their hetrosexual counterparts, due to the fact that most of them don't have large families to support. If nothing else we can look at it in a more economic sense. If India can tap into the gay market it would be a great boon for the economy and the travel industry here in India. Plus of course, we have to address the human right issue as well. Are gay people any different to hetrosexuals just because of their sexual orientation? Should they be denied their basic human rights as citizens of India? Religion should not play a role in this decesion we are a democracy not a theocratic state. As far as these so called astronomers are concerned who are now condemning homosexuality and say it will be the end of the world for India if we de-criminalise it. I would just like to point out we have still not forgotten how they come onto our television screens before elections and give their so called readings...and how every time the results are almost opposite to what they claim they would be! We can not run this country purely on the basis of religion and superstitious beliefs. India is a huge growing economy and the world is watching India with an ever watchful eye. We need to play our cards right and finally undo this hidious old law that was brought about by the British, who themselves have done away with this law in Britain in 1967!!
Posted by Bani on Jul 11, 2009
I think homosexuality should be DEFINITELY be legalised. It is quite ridiculous that we as Indians have waited so long to actually address this issue. Someone's sexuality is an extremely private matter and should not make a difference to another person. Today India is a huge growing economy and is developing quite rapidly. But unfortunately it has a long way to go by way of developing in the social and human-rights sphere and that is mainly caused due to the growing fundamentalist religious views amongst some of the nation's communities. According to India's constitution EVERYONE has equal rights and there should be no discrimination with regard to caste, creed, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Religion has absolutely no place in deciding whether or not it should be legalised! India is not a theocratic state like Iran, it is a democracy! The world is watching India with a very keen eye today to see that people don't have equal rights in India till date is quite a shame and to continue to criminalise homosexuality in India would not work in the country's favour, by way of global acceptability. We are living in the 21st century and these old laws can and should no longer hinder the development of the NEW INDIA. Live and let live!
Advertisement
Advertisement

Blogs

Headley travelled around the world, plotted, hired and left the execution to people he had picked up to execute the job.
Before each election, the govt has a record of slowing down its operations against the outfit in some sort of a symbiotic exchange.
More »