New Delhi High Court decriminalises gay sex
Updated
The High Court in New Delhi has issued a landmark ruling decriminalising gay sex between consenting adults, overturning British colonial-era legislation that outlawed homosexuality...although the ruling is non-binding outside the Indian capital. The New Delhi High Court ruled that an existing statute prohibiting homosexual acts was discriminatory and therefore a "violation of fundamental rights" accorded under the constitution. GURUKIRAN spokesman for SANGAMA a Bangalore based sexual minority lobby group.
Presenter: Claudette Werden
Speakers: Gurukiran, SANGAMA sexual minority lobby group
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GURUKIRAN: I would say that it's a great victory and we all are happy for the positive judgement
WERDEN: Okay can you tell me what prompted the New Delhi High Court make this decision?
GURUKIRAN: I would say a lot of organisations who supported this cause especially the womens groups and more progressive groups they've supported us.
WERDEN: Why did the New Delhi High Court change the law?
GURUKIRAN: Because it's a question of freedom and it's a fundamental right, I would say it's a freedom of expression and there are a lot of things behind this, and we really appreciate the New Delhi High Court has supported this cause and some organisation especially the ex Health Minister, he largely supported this issue.
WERDEN: How long have you been lobbying for the law to be changed?
GURUKIRAN: For the last 6 or 7 years
WERDEN: And what do you think turned the decision in your favour?
GURUKIRAN: Definitely it's a very old law, I would say its more than a hundred year old law, British brought this law into all the colonies in south Asia and you asked how long we've been lobbying for this change of law, for the last 6 years we've been struggling without thinking about class, sexuality, I mean they're coming together and fighting, we can see from the last two three years, the Gay Parade is happening in India especially in Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore and recently Chennai also, which brings all the sexual minorities, upper class and lower class, without thinking any class restrictions, they're coming together and they are fighting, I mean lobbying for this and this is a great pleasure and it's a great victory I would say.
