While agreeing with the historic Supreme Court verdict on Section 377, holding that homosexuality is not a crime, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Thursday said that it does support same-sex marriage is it is not natural.
“Like Supreme Court, we also do not consider this (homosexuality) to be a crime. The same-sex marriages are not compatible with norms of nature, so we do not support such relations. Bharatiya Society also doesn’t have the tradition to recognize such relations. Human beings generally learn from experiences, that is why this issue needs to be taken care of at the social and psychological level,” Sangh said in a statement to the press.
On the other hand, Congress, the most political vibrant movement, as the Twitter bio of Congress reads, celebrated apex court’s verdict and termed it as a “progressive and decisive verdict.”
“We join the people of India & the LGBTQIA+ community in their victory over prejudice. We welcome the progressive & decisive verdict from the Supreme Court & hope this is the beginning of a more equal & inclusive society. #Section377,” it tweeted.
We join the people of India & the LGBTQIA+ community in their victory over prejudice. We welcome the progressive & decisive verdict from the Supreme Court & hope this is the beginning of a more equal & inclusive society. #Section377 pic.twitter.com/Fh65vOn7h9
— Congress (@INCIndia) September 6, 2018
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala termed the verdict as “momentous.”
“Supreme Court verdict on #Section377 is momentous. An age-old colonial law, that was an anachronism in today’s modern times, ends restoring the fundamental rights & negating discrimination based on sexual orientation. It’s an imp step forward towards a liberal, tolerant society,” he tweeted.
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The Supreme Court, yesterday, struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), decriminalising homosexuality.
“Sexual orientation of an individual is natural and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a violation of Freedom of Expression. Section 377 to the extent it criminalizes sexual acts between consenting adults, whether homosexual or heterosexual, is unconstitutional,” Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra said while pronouncing the verdict.
Section 377, which came into force in 1861 during the British rule, refers to ‘unnatural offences’ and says whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to pay a fine.