Indian Supreme Court: Homosexuality Is A Criminal Offense

[Kromovaracun]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Homosexuality-is-criminal-offence-Supreme-Court-rules/articleshow/27208873.cms

The Indian Supreme Court has overturned a 2009 ruling which decriminialized same-sex sexual activity.

Do you think this is a fair ruling, considering that this is what the letter of the law as it stands actually says, or should the court simply have upheld the 2009 ruling?

Parliament is entitled to amend or remove Section 377 - do you think they are likely to do so easily or will it be another difficult fight?

Oh, and surprise surprise...

"Those in favour of the Delhi HC verdict and those opposed to it are divided on religious considerations. While liberal organizations, including NGOs advocating LGBT rights, are supporting the HC decision, those opposed to it are mainly from religious groups belonging to Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities"

While this is a hangover from the (Christian) Raj, it's as usual India's religious communities who are the enemies of civilization.

[jim360]

It seemed to me to be a legal ruling rather than a moral one. The statement seems to be that it's for Parliament, the democratic part of any state, to change the law, rather than the judges. And unfortunately the law is out-of-date, and needs replacing. I think we all hope that it does change. Probably not any time soon, though.

I think the best summary is "fair, but unfortunate".

[Old_Geezer]

I think a person's sexual preferences is their own private affair as long as it is between consenting adults and not shown to be something they need protection from themselves from. In this case the law/parliament ought not be ruling on it's legality.

[mushroom25]

indeed OG - but if the LGBTI community must remain in the proverbial closet, they are never going to attain the level of equality now enjoyed in the west. For instance, gay marriage could never even be discussed, never mind legislated for.

[youngmafbog]

Who are we to impose our thoughts on them?

What if we are wrong? (Apart from the fact we will all be shoveling coal while the Devil whips us)

[jim360]

Equally, what if all the religious people of India are wrong and yet criminalising an activity that is both natural and also none of their damned business? They are imposing their views on Indian homosexuals far more than we are on them.

[youngmafbog]

I think you will find the majority of the Indian population are quite deeply religious, quite a different prospect to the UK.

I think they are wrong, I have no time for religion. But I always think we should consider and respect their views and way of life and not simply be pious and condemn.

[jim360]

I'm all for considering and respecting views, to the point where such views if personal aren't imposed on anyone else. That is surely the issue here. India is a more religious country. That's fine -- or at least shouldn't be a problem -- but then they take that religion, a personal choice, and force their own morals on others. That is not fine, not even close, and while in the end the resolution of this is an Indian matter, we are well within our rights and perhaps even duties to protest strongly. We owe it to those who may suffer because of this law to do what little we can to help persuade the Indian People and Government to change it.

[youngmafbog]

But jim, although you may think the law will change things it won't. In fact, introduce an unpopular law and it could have quite the reverse affect.

This is a different culture, they simply wont abide by the law and in remote area's probably kill people.

Education is required to change attitudes is required but that does not happen overnight. The UK went through a prolonged period of change and that will have to be the case with other Nations, especially extreme religous ones where it may tak many generations.

[jim360]

I never said I did think that the law would change things. It has to be coupled with a change in attitudes, or at least a trend that way. Given that, it's important to try and promote that change as far as we are able. Which probably isn't much, but we ought to try nonetheless.

[keyplus90]

You and your civilization...........