Homosexuality...Impending verdict....criminalized victims....raging debates....open letters…misconceptions and controversies…all part of this tabooed issue. The Section 377 of Indian Penal Code states homosexuality as something unnatural and hence criminal. Criminals…huh &#$&…with rapists and perverts roaming scot-free…how can you possibly justify turning otherwise law-abiding citizens into criminals just because they have different sexual preferences — choices that hurt nobody?
Homosexuality is as old as human civilization. The only problem is that views on these issues were proscribed from being voiced. C’mon ours is the land of Kamasutra…what’s wrong in discussing something which always existed. Ignorance…the sole cause of unmanageable rise in AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. At least things should be favorable with the educated masses…but the condition is no better.
The frustrating part is that this matter is being dealt by a bunch of illiterate crooks in the cabinet that do nothing but shy away from the topic. These decisions should be taken by intelligent minds that can contemplate the sensitivities of the concerned and pass a favorable judgment. Just like some people have different religious preferences (would you punish an atheist for being a nonbeliever?) or career preferences….these guys have different sexual preferences…why can’t we handle them gracefully?
Every individual needs his own personal space and no law can snatch that from him. By the way, how are they going to keep track of who’s doing what? If there is no justification for a law and it is not enforced anyway, then what reason is there for keeping it as part of the Indian Penal Code? Surely, it is much easier to simply abolish it. It is high time homosexuality is legalized. After all, how can one have a society that is liberal in religion, economics, art and culture but prudish in its ideas of homosexuality and lesbianism? Why would we need laws to maintain something that is natural? Are there laws forcing people to eat or sleep? But there is a law forcing people to have sex in a particular way!
Even if this act is decriminalized or even legalized nothing revolutionary is going to happen unless there is public awareness. We cannot argue that law is equal to all…then how is polygamy legal for Muslims? People would question its validity posing quotes from religious scripts stating that it’s unethical. And yet again there would be debates and open letters but no consequences. That’s how India is!!
17 comments:
Its all a question of personal preference...sure there is nothing wrong with it..but plzz stay away from me! ;)
i appreciate ur efforts .... a very sensitive topic expressed very sensibly .... gud gud !!!
@nikhil: mockery even here..lol ;)
@Sai: Thanx buddy!!
well the problem lies in the vote bank politics...the minister who tries to get this law scrapped will have his motives questioned and his image will be wrecked...so no on ewants to touch it...
@karthik: ministers are our represenatives...tht implies they should take care of minorities too...Forget idealism...whats wrong in supporting something thats not gonna harm nybody?And about the so called image do you think they have an image to look upto :P
Aneesha:
Homosexuals are often beleived to indulge in non-consentual encounters. Now I do not have any numbers to substantiate my claim, however I do beleive this is true - and hence the general bias against homosexuals.
You write really well !
not a crime..simple as that. It's a guy's private emotions with another person..both are consenting adults. they are not harming society..if they are bringing their society down with their actions, what of ppl who incite riots? who are religiously intolerant? and where's the line drawn anyway?ppl who sell and buy fake dvds ( I buy em, does that make me a corrupter of economy..umm,yes )
there are better things that politicians really need to focus on..this law should just be deemed invalid. But then,as is always the case, WHO WILL BELL THE CAT?
@prophet:Thnx!!
non-consentual encounters are criminal even in hetrosexual affairs.What about consentual encounters?
@pythoroshan: I agree..."who will bell the cat"
thats the case with most of the issues!!
There wass this Bharkha dutt big fight debate on this issue .. And i found it entirely crass and tasteless !! My point is simple - we in India have so many problems .. look at the number of people committing suicides, price hikes etc etc .. What's the point of having a debate on an issue which affects a minority of a minority !! Just bcoz some high social types in delhi or mumbai want to do something different, why shud a law be ammended, air space be taken etc etc !!
@Karthik: I do agree there are issues graver than this one...but then this is not limited to high society or the hapless low class..it exists everywhere...so why not accept it and spare those poor people from being treated as criminals when they are already trapped in the turmoil of emotions.If ther's a law which fails to protect fundamental rights..it needs to be ammended..dont u think so?
Ok.. This reminds me of the Salman Khan Black buck case - he was the only guy prosecuted under that law !! :D .. I do agree with the right to choose and don't want the Government playing big brother with my personal space .. But again, the situation ain't as bad as hitler time, when gay people were rounded up and sent to concentration camps or a Islam nation where such stuff is blasphemy.. The main thing that needs to be changed is not the laws - but people's mindset.. I guess when people are "educated" enough, changing the law is no big deal !! After all what's society, but a collection of people !! And i guess until the society is not in a position to accept this, there's no point changing the laws or forcing something down people's throat !!
@Karthik: I completely agree that what needs to be changed is the mindset of the society...nd no law modifications gonna help change that...but then we can atleast initiate amendment by decriminalisation..wtsay?
What you've said is doubtlessly right. Our preferences are our sacred right. But the government's attitude is not surprising. While it's only stifled voices like yours and mine (and the homosexuals of course) that are in favour, there are entire political networks that are dead against it. Obviously the government can do without the headache of fighting to change a law which has no vociferous opponents.
Make each of our politicians watch "Brokeback Mountain".
Humor apart, think the very ethos of Indian culture will not allow homosexuality to be decriminalised. Agree abt Kamasutra. But people will ignore it. Just as people find sex a taboo to discuss in the open. There are no votes to be garnered here.
If the West found it so tough to decriminalise gay acts, India is surely a few rungs below.
U write pretty passionately .. impressive !
@Akshay: very true...but even vociferous opposition dont seem to influence our govt...as in the reservation issue!!
@Tejas:Mabbe it would take some decades...!!
@Shantanu:..Thanx :D
Its a taboo talkin about homo-sexuality. And yeah. Ppl who frame the rules are worth nothin. But everyone's got their own issues. Due to these laws. These ppl tend towards crime. And as u have stated, It is all cuz f the ignorance.
Good one..:-)
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