Homosexual sex horrendous: Socio-religious bodies tell SC

Vehemently opposing the decriminalisation of homosexual sex, various social and religious organisation today contended before the Supreme Court that allowing such acts would lead to "horrendous" situation.

Appearing before a bench of Justice GS Singhvi and Justice SJ Mukhopadhaya, they contended that homosexual behaviour is a disease, which should be cured through counselling and rehabilitation.

"It would be a horrendous situation in Indian society if it is allowed. The organisations (fighting for gay rights) should try to bring such people to national mainstream by providing counselling them," said senior advocate Radha Krishana, appearing for a Catholic organisation.

He said approving such acts is against the concept of family and marriage.

"India has got its own culture, tradition and custom. We cannot follow other culture. These things are being dumped in the country," he said.

Other Christian groups, including Utkal Christian Council and Apostolic Churches Alliance too opposed the Delhi High Court order which had in 2009 legalised homosexual sex between consenting adults in private.

A Delhi-based social group Krantikari Manuvadi Morcha also opposed the high court verdict.

The high court had in 2009 decriminalised homosexual sex as provided in Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and had ruled that the sex between two consenting adults of same sex in private would not be an offence.

Section 377 (unnatural offences) of the IPC makes homosexual sex a criminal offence entailing punishment up to life term.

The apex court is hearing petitions filed by anti-homosexual rights activists and also by political, social and religious organisations, which have opposed the high court verdict.

Senior BJP leader BP Singhal, who had opposed in the high court the plea for legalisation of gay sex, has challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court, saying such acts are illegal, immoral and against ethos of Indian culture.

Religious organisations like All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Utkal Christian Council and Apostolic Churches Alliance too have also challenged the high court's order.

Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Right, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munn Kazhgam, astrologer Suresh Kumar Kaushal and yoga guru Ramdev too have opposed the verdict in the apex court.