Strong opposition against HC verdict on gay rights

Only two groups in India initially opposed the decriminalizing of homosexuality by the Delhi High Court. Now, there are total 16 organizations reportedly fighting against the ruling.

The July 2 verdict has been challenged by two Christian church coalitions, three Muslim NGOs, two Hindu astrologers, a disciple of yoga guru Baba Ramdev, an NGO run by a former Delhi police officer, and an environmentalist.

Next month, the Supreme Court will be hearing the petitions that have strongly demanded the repeal of the ruling that "decriminalized homosexual sex among consenting adults" by striking down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The July 2 verdict although delighted gay activists and health workers, had caused anger and disbelief among religious organizations.

Rev. Richard Howell, general secretary of Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), earlier said he was "shocked and saddened by the judgment"

"In a secular state a distinction is made between God's unchanging moral laws and man's legislated social laws - civil and criminal. Decriminalization of homosexuality in no way changes the moral order. It is common sense to recognize that homosexual practice is a violation of the natural order," he had said in a statement.

Similarly, the Catholic Church also was opposed tooth and nail against it.

Led by Archbishop of Delhi Vincent M Concessao, an inter-faith delegation on Dec. 9 last year met the Prime Minister and urged him to speak against the HC order.

Concessao said the Church does not stigmatize or marginalize gay people, but what it really feared was that the legalizing of homosexuality will increase cases of sexually transmitted diseases and create a social disorder.

"Anything which goes against the definition of being a man, woman and animal are unnatural and must be opposed," he had said.

The High Court's decision in July last year came after nine years of legal proceedings initiated by India's gay groups.