The Central Government on Sunday announced plans to repeal a 150-year-old law that criminalizes homosexuality in India.
The news has come as a major victory for Gay Right activists even as the government announced its intent to decide after consulting the Church and representatives of other religious groups.
The announcement was made by Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily who would be meeting Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to discuss on the controversial section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.
The Section 377, which was formulated by the British in the 17th century, terms same sex relationships as a criminal act and makes it punishable with an imprisonment of 10 years.
"The Cabinet has mandated to have a re-look at the provision. But we are not going to rush to any conclusion. We will certainly take into account concerns of all sections, including religious groups like Christian church," Moily said at a press conference in Thiruvanthapuram.
So far the Church has remained mum and is yet to officially voice its discontent against the amending of Section 377.
"This is a very sensitive issue and the Church is yet to come out with its statements," Bishop Sahu of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) told Christian Today.
The general secretary of the ecumenical organization of the protestant and Orthodox Churches in India, however, opined that "church can’t remain silent and it should unitedly speak on this issue."
He very candidly pointed that homosexuality "is against our religion and is forbidden in the Bible."
Joseph Dias, general secretary of the Catholic Secular Forum, concurs. "The Church's stand on the issue has always been clear. For us it is an unnatural act, against the divine law. We will definitely oppose it,” he said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of gay rights supporters walked through three Indian cities on Sunday, to celebrate gay pride and call for the decriminalization of homosexuality, which is still a taboo subject in world's largest democracy.
Thousands marched on the streets in Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi where gays, lesbians, transgender and bisexuals were seen holding play cards demanding "equal rights" and "gay-friendly laws".
Gay Right activists claim that the Section 377 law violates the Indian Constitution, which guarantees all citizens the right to equality and personal liberty.
Society
Church to oppose legalization of gay sex in India
By: Rahul Benjamin
Monday, 29 June 2009, 18:09 (IST)
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Have your say on this article
Added: Monday, 29 June 2009, 18:23 (IST)
India is an ancient land of diversities and beautiful cultures. Please dont bring the Western stupidity in our country and make us look so liberal where there is no meaning or use of MORALS or ETHICS. So far India has never raised this issue, let it be the same hereafter too. After all India is a country which is so deep in religion and has given birth to many major religions and teachings, philosophies of todays world.
Sunny, USA
Added: Monday, 29 June 2009, 18:40 (IST)
What's wrong with being gay? Everything that you don't see people doing in general, looks weird. But that doesn't mean it is wrong. By ancient culture, do you mean we should legalize the caste system? Or should we declare that all non-Abrahamic religions are for infidels (hence Hindus are infidels). Let the culture evolve. Don't be paranoid of something that doesn't exist. Let there be a rule for a reason. Let's not live for the rule, let there be a rule to make our life better. And I don't think this ban on gays makes our life any better.
Kris, Mumbai, India
Added: Monday, 29 June 2009, 21:08 (IST)
Gay sex is against the Bible and Christianity. Church whatever may be the cause should not compromise in this. It is very clear, such an act should never be encouraged.
Father Thomas, India
Added: Monday, 29 June 2009, 21:42 (IST)
The orthodox (true) Church stance on this had been very clear from the beginning, and I am not surprised. It is some Western liberal churches that have welcome homosexuals and they will pay the price soon, if not on earth, it will be on the last day, on the day of judgment!
Mara, South Mizoram
Added: Monday, 29 June 2009, 22:33 (IST)
Till last week we only read about gay stuffs happening in US, here now a new era has opened in world's most ancient and religious land. This is really showing the growing influence of WEST upon our land. Till last 150 year this law never had a problem. So why now pulling them?
Krishna, India
Added: Monday, 29 June 2009, 23:13 (IST)
Scrap the law and make a new one. May be something that will keep intact the views of both religious and gay groups?
Nick, USA
Added: Tuesday, 30 June 2009, 7:32 (IST)
India has suffered enough from "enlightened" European ideas. Homosexuality has been suicide for those areas that have embraced it as just another lifestyle.
Allan Wafkowski, Ridgefield Park USA
Added: Tuesday, 30 June 2009, 9:06 (IST)
Who said the church failed to influence the west in its thinking? that commenter has got things wrong. Church has the power to influence govt behavior. In India, the same should happen. Muslims and the VHP, BJP have strongly opposed it. Sad to see the church remaining silent.
Chandi Kurian, Mumbai
Added: Tuesday, 30 June 2009, 17:25 (IST)
Gays also have feelings, emotions and a good heart like all other human beings including Christians. So please consider us too.
Gayman, Tripura, India
Added: Tuesday, 30 June 2009, 21:05 (IST)
To all those opposing scraping the law criminalizing being Gay: Just how hypocritical are you? How racist? You think you´re normal and those who are gay aren´t? You have the right to deny them the right to live a dignified life? Do you think we imported "gayness" from the west? Grow up and start accepting the fact that we have our very own home-grown gay people who are as exactly like you in every other way. Do you feel outraged by attacks on Indians in Australia? Why? Because of the perception of hatred towards people different from themselves in Australia. Oh how much you despise them (Australians) for it.. don´t you? Can you even hear yourself think? Can you believe the height of your own irrationality? I can´t?
Chirag, Spain
Added: Wednesday, 1 July 2009, 1:09 (IST)
The aim of the legislation is to decriminalize the act. It does not encourage homosexuality, rather it stops the police from harassing people using one more excuse. Don't see anything wrong with this as the Indian philosophy is 'live and let live', not the morality of Victorian England. Social norms and pressures are much more powerful than the law in moulding these behaviors in India.
Rich, Dallas
Added: Wednesday, 1 July 2009, 22:51 (IST)
The definition of the "word"Gay is filth i.e. HIV,AIDS,STDS,Contaminated Blood donations,intolerant,bigoted,terror intimidators, blasphemers,violent,destroyers of traditional marriage words Father & Mother etc,destruction of civilization by introducing, polygamy,polyandry and tribalism,
Paul, USA
Added: Thursday, 2 July 2009, 21:35 (IST)
Culture changes with time . No one can stop a culture from changing.It evolves and strengthens with time. Homosexuality is not against any culture. It is our short comings ,selfishness and hypocrisy because of which we dont look beyond our own needs and orientation. Science has proved that homosexuality is not a preference but an orientation. Homosexuality exists in animals too. Who decides what's natural and unnatural? When what we do has been named as natural by us , we do not have any right to call what others do different as unnatural. Homosexuality is as old as the existance of man. No one can suppress the truth. It can only be delayed by resistance and non-acceptance. We need to look around and help others to be their true selves. In India most homosexuals live a dual life. They marry and have kids and live a life of lie till they die. We have such people in our family and our neighborhood. We should look beyond ourselves and help others lead a life of truth. Be a human in the true sense of the word.
Father Marc Dsilva, Mumbai
Added: Wednesday, 8 July 2009, 18:43 (IST)
Dear Fr. Marc, Those are beautiful sentiments. Thank you. Chirag
Chirag, Spain
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