India rights activists dismayed by gay sex ruling
- 10 years ago
Just three weeks ago, India's gay community was celebrating its gay pride parade.
It was also expecting India's Supreme Court to - very soon -- rubber stamp a landmark lower court ruling.
One that decriminalizes gay sex in the world's largest democracy.
But on Wednesday -- dismay.
Instead of affirming the ruling, the court threw it out.
Effectively re-criminalizing gay sex.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) A JOURNALIST AND GAY RIGHTS ACTIVIST, ASHOK ROW KAVI, SAYING:
"I didn't expect that this court will make such a huge setback to us. To me, it is unbelievable that a judge has not understood the constitutional rights of the citizens like me."
With Wednesday's decision, India's legal stance on gay sex reverts back to nineteenth century colonial rule.
It's a setback not just for gay rights, but for human rights, says Assistant Solicitor General Indira Jaising.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ADDITIONAL SOLICITOR GENERAL, INDIRA JAISING, SAYING:
It was also expecting India's Supreme Court to - very soon -- rubber stamp a landmark lower court ruling.
One that decriminalizes gay sex in the world's largest democracy.
But on Wednesday -- dismay.
Instead of affirming the ruling, the court threw it out.
Effectively re-criminalizing gay sex.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) A JOURNALIST AND GAY RIGHTS ACTIVIST, ASHOK ROW KAVI, SAYING:
"I didn't expect that this court will make such a huge setback to us. To me, it is unbelievable that a judge has not understood the constitutional rights of the citizens like me."
With Wednesday's decision, India's legal stance on gay sex reverts back to nineteenth century colonial rule.
It's a setback not just for gay rights, but for human rights, says Assistant Solicitor General Indira Jaising.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ADDITIONAL SOLICITOR GENERAL, INDIRA JAISING, SAYING: