Ever since the Delhi high court declared section 377 of the Indian penal code unconstitutional and decriminalized unnatural sex among consenting adults (gay marriage, to be precise), there have been heated debates on this issue. The country witnessed celebrations in some places following the judgement and also strong criticism from those who were of the view that the judgement was legalizing an immoral practice. Of course, the verdict of the Delhi high court has been challenged through a special leave petition and the supreme court has taken up the same.
Whatever may the fate of this issue, one cannot ignore an important and healthy trend generated by it. May be for the first time in recent times all the religious leaders have condemned the high court judgement, that too in a joint statement at a press conference in which they have, interalia said, “such unhealthy attempts are totally unacceptable in a country which has rich cultural and ethical traditions.†If the religious unity survives India will be free from communal tensions.
Religious Leaders of all sorts fall under the broader rubric of “cultural conservative”, no wonder then that they stand united against the emergence of gay pride in India… Well, does that mean all these religious leaders who oppose to this new ruling on same sex relationships are all straight? Probably not! Before the section 377 was repelled (not exactly, but still…), it was only the religious men who had immunity (or rather a lack of scrutiny, not from the law, but from the society) for same sex relationships (which many priests covertly had with the unwilling disciples and their willing, yet hypocritical brethren), but now they have to give their monopoly to other well deserved same sex couples 😉