On Sunday 28th June hundreds of gay rights activists held rainbow parades in Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore to celebrate the gay pride along with rest of the world. It is indeed heartening to see a movement slowly coming out of the closet in a country where homosexuality is a criminal offence.

At the same time it is equally shocking that Indian government is still mulling about possible moves to amend the ancient section 377 of Indian Penal Code (which is a legacy of ancient British rule) and decriminalize homosexuality. The last Union Health Minister could not even open discussion in the Parliament on the issue. It is unfortunate that basic rights of LGBTs should be denied on some flimsy legal or religious grounds.  This draconian law should have been scrapped or amended many years ago.

Any sexual relationship between two consenting same sex adults is nobody’s business and cannot be a criminal offense that too punishable by a fine and 10 year prison term. The very existence of Section 377 for so many years is extremely shameful for a country which harps about modernity, progress and economic growth.