Enough has been said and written of late about the historic High Court judgement on the gay rights issue.
Most people and the media have welcomed the judgement. But, just like every path-breaking law faces an opposition, so must this judgement. Its share of opposition comes from certain perverse hardliners and self-appointed religious guardians who leave no stone unturned to stay in news.
Here are a few of their strong statements and my reactions to them:
Babu Joseph, spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops Conference of India says, "Homosexual relations and groups are advocating a new concept of family which is not self sustaining, not good for the future and the society. We will join other groups voicing similar concerns."
My Reaction: How is it not self-sustaining? Of course it is. Ever heard of adoption? How is it not good for future and the scoiety? Vague. Very Vague. Please get your basics sorted out.
Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Hind's Maulana Mehmud Madani says, "Homosexuality is Haram (prohibited) and an immoral act. It is unnatural. It is a punishable offence in Shariat. It is against the age old traditions and culture of India and of Islam."
My Reaction: You don't prescribe what is morally correct and what is natural. Courts are there to debate what is morally correct and what is not, and science has established that homosexuality is mostly natural. I don't know much about Islam, but it has been very much there in the 'old traditions and culture of India'. By the way, our country isn't goverened by the Shariat.
Giriraj Kishore, VHP leader, says, "Customs and traditions are broken. It will increase AIDS."
My Reaction: Somebody please send this guy back to school. AIDS can be prevented by safe sex. What does it have to do with the nature of intercourse?
Baba Ramdev says, "Do the people behind this verdict consider homosexuality natural? Is it something they will themselves do? If our parents had been gays, would we have been born? Freedom doesn’t mean licence. Our family system is the only ideal we can show to the world. Sadly, this judgment will end up corrupting it. I will be part of every protest against the judgment.’’
My Reaction: Sir, the answer to your first question is an Absolute Yes. The second question is stupid because if they are homosexuals, they will, else they won't. Easy. The third question is even more stupid. Any Std IX student can answer that. Now, I must ask - Does the law allow only those intercourses which result into birth? No. So, why should homosexuality be banned just because its not reproductive?
Coming to the last part of the reaction, family system is indeed an ideal which we can show to the world but not the Only one. Plus, why cant homosexuals have an 'ideal' family? Having said this, you are welcome to protest it. It's your fundamental right.
