Delhi court ruling decriminalises gay sex in India

The High Court in Delhi has made an important ruling that could strengthen moves to legalise homosexuality in India.

The judges said homosexual sex between consenting adults is not a crime and that is expected to encourage the country’s increasingly vocal gay-lobby to push for the repeal of the ban that dates back to British colonialism.

Outside the court, campaigner Anjali Gopalan, who filed the petition said: “Yes, many religious groups will oppose us. Many people will oppose us. The process of change is a very slow one they have to keep engaging with the civil society to bring about that change.”

Gay campaigners have long said the law has been violating human rights since it was introduced in the days of the British Raj in 1861. Under current law, homosexual sex is punishable by a ten year jail term.

The Indian government has rejected petitions to repeal the law so far. Campaigners hope this legal ruling will help to change that.

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tags: Demonstration, Gay, India