MUMBAI: Gay sex is not a crime in India, the country's High Court ruled this week, and the government has said it supports the ruling, in a sign that LGBT rights in the country could be on the rise. On Thursday, the India government said in a statement that it is in favor of the decriminalization of gay sex and that the Delhi High Court ruling last week is “acceptable.” Activists across the country have praised the ruling, saying it shows “India is moving in the right step. “We don't demand extra rights, we just want to have our personal freedom like every other Indian to live our lives the way we want and are living,” said LGBT activists Abhishek. He told Bikyamasr.com that “for too long have gay people been seen as dangerous and this ruling could start to incorporate us into society better.” Attorney General GE Vahanvati justified the change in the Center's stand on decriminalization of gay sex, saying that the government “learnt and subsequently got enlightened” from the Delhi High Court verdict. Vahanvati, who was yesterday asked by a bench of justices GS Singhvi and SJ Mukhopadhaya to clarify the government's stand on the issue, said there is no legal error in the high court judgment and “it is acceptable to us (government).” After going through various affidavits of the government filed in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, the country's top court had said the Center has taken this case very casually which needs to be “condemned” and had directed the AG to be present before it to clarify the Center's stand. “They have taken this case very casually. This practice needs to be condemned and we are going to say it in our judgment,” the bench said in a statement. For Abhishek and others, it is a true sign that the government and the popular belief towards the LGBT community is officially changing. “It is great for India because it shows we as a people are ready for a new look on life and can support all Indians in all walks of life,” he added. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/JXSsA Tags: Government, High Court, India, LGBT, rights Section: Culture, Editor's choice, Human Rights, Latest News, LGBT, South Asia
