Legally Gay
So the regulation has been finally passed.If you don't blog once a week, you will have to face deductions from your salary.
Pretty harsh, isn't it? But what has to be done has to be done. As my colleague Matsuoka-san better known as Maa-kun always says-yaru shika nai.
One can't write an epic with a rusty pen and hence I have decided to start with something relatively lighter so that I am back in shape for some intriguing intellectual and mental tussle this summer.
Delhi High Court delivered a landmark verdict yesterday regarding Article 377 which defines homosexuality as illegal in India. The court ruled that gay sex among consenting adults was no crime. The court made it clear that section 377 of the Indian Penal Code - which criminalized an act of consensual sex among adults - is a violation of the constitution and fundamental rights.
In this historic moment, we must never forget that it has been a long and often harrowing journey for its queer community.
For a hundred and forty nine years the gay community in India has been mistreated. Often being arrested, threatened, blackmailed and sexually exploited with a tool called Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. An archaic law introduced by the British - though ironically removed from the British law books.
My first encounter with active queer movement was during the second year of my University. Mario, a freshman of History center came and established 'Anjuman', a platform to voice equal rights for homosexuals. Surprisingly, they couldn't find much support even in the so called India's most socially progressive educational institution. They were ridiculed, embarrassed, their talk shows were interrupted on numerous occasions. What a shame for an institution that claims to be the torch bearer of modern and progressive India!
But they did not give up. They did not get agitated. They showed calm and composure which would have pleased Mahatma Gandhi. They continued their protest against all the established norms and fought against the society in their own unique way i.e. knowledge, love and unity.
Since then, I have met so many people with different orientations and spent some of the best time of my life with them. So far I have never come across a single person who have tried to force their orientations on other people. All they want is some respect for theirs. Can't we do that ,even in 21st century. Is that asking for too much.
We can draw many conclusions from this historic judgment. However, I interpret it as the triumph of power of love against a society which needs to understand the comprehensive meaning of love.
It's your day Mario and friends, go and celebrate, laugh and cry, tell the world that you are proud ,happy and gay.
However, this is just a small break through my friends. There is still a long journey to be undertaken.
But, I am pretty sure that there will be a day when the sun will shine equally on all of us and the calm breeze will touch us equally.
Till then let's fight together.
Congratulations!!
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