New Delhi’s highest court issued a landmark ruling that decriminalized consensual gay sex in the Indian capital. The judgment overturns a 148-year-old law--from the time of British rule. But does the law amendment change the society’s perception towards same-sex relationships? Newsy is analyzing coverage from India and Great Britain to get local perspectives- and though the law has changed, perceptions have not.
First,
BBC World Service talks to the head of an HIV advocate group that filed the petition for the amendment.
“The fact that it was seen as criminal behavior is problematic, even in a larger context. Police harassment is something that happened all the time in the community. … so change is happening, it’s not as fast as we’d like to see it happen but I don’t see it as something that’s not going to ever change.”
NDTV brings us a view from a national Catholic’s group spokesperson, who says the law can’t justify social tolerance for homosexuals.
“ … this is not the matter only limited to legality alone because it certainly has moral and ethical overtones. … We cannot afford to endorse homosexual behavior as normal and socially acceptable.”
India’s
The Economic Times also takes a religious approach to the story, quoting reasons from some Muslim leaders in India who are strongly opposed to the court’s ruling.
“Homosexuality is offence under Shariat Law and [prohibited] in Islam.”
“[The law’s] repealing would result in sexual anarchy in the society. Those opposing the section are influenced by Western culture. Those who argue for independence do not realise that independence should have its limits.”
However,
The Guardian’s columnist presents a contrasting perspective, looking from a Hindu viewpoint and saying…
“The ancient Hindu scriptures describe the homosexual condition to be a biological one, and although the scripture gives guidance to parents on how to avoid procreating a homosexual child, it does not condemn the child as unnatural.”
Finally, looking beyond the religious issues,
Asian News International brings us this view from a Bollywood actress and gay rights activist, who believes to see more people support homosexual rights openly in India.
“Bollywood is very supportive and the day this (Section) is repealed, I am sure many people will come out openly in support of that and there are a lot of people in our industry who are from the sexual minority and they have given a lot to our industry.”
With consensual gay sex now decriminalized in New Delhi- what do you think the result will be?
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