Indian civilization is regarded as one of the oldest in the world. Naturally, culture and traditions are deeply rooted in the minds of people. Indian societies are mostly patriarchal in nature and people depends by and large on agriculture for their livelihood. Age-old beliefs and rituals are still predominantly practiced.
Discussion on sex, in Indian society, is still regarded as a taboo, leave aside talking aloud about homosexuality. Heterosexuality in its various forms still is a popular choice of the people. So, homosexuality or same-sex relationship is seen as an alien practice and regard it as an object of contempt and ignominy. Even Indian law prohibits the practice of same-sex relationship and criminalizes it under section 377. Gays/Lesbians still have a difficult time in a liberal and democratic country like India.
The biggest mystery that remains unanswered till today is how one’s sexual orientation is formulated. Even science has failed to deliver a proper explanation to it. Some believe that it is biological and not chosen. While others believe that it depends on one’s upbringing and the environment they grow up with. There may be other factors too such as prenatal hormone exposure, where hormones play a role in determining sexual orientation as they do with sex differentiation; and prenatal stress on the mother also play a role in the sexual orientation of an individual.
But, as same-sex relationship has its presence amidst a considerable number of people world-wide, definitely rejecting it or condemning those who practice it outrightly would be illogical and insensible. It is evident from the historical records that homosexual practice existed in ancient India. However, it is only in past few decades that its widespread practice could be seen all over the world. Recognizing the sexual orientation of these people various countries have legalized homosexuality. In India though homosexuality is criminalized by the Indian penal code a considerable number of people practice it. Being the largest democracy of the world, the discrimination on the basis of one’s sex and gender can never be approved of. We have to rethink our views on this minority community. We have to accept change. Recent gay parades in different cities of India and large-scale participation of people demanding acceptance from people and law show how deeply rooted homosexuality is in India. Even communist China known for strict adherence to moral tradition has decriminalized homosexuality in 1997. So India as an aspirant of global reckoning force should defiantly shed such parochial view which categorizes homosexuals as “the other”.
Weconscious has come up by combining two words “WE” & “CONSCIOUS”. Thereby meaning, we the people who ought to be conscious about our rights & duties. We Conscious is a pious effort to highlight, show, and educate people of the various monsterheads of corruption, moral degradation and gross civic negligence that are rampant in our society. It’s an effort to highlight the illegalities we suffer on day to day basis.
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Finally the Indian Constitution got rid of 377. I sincerely hope someday people will become aware of another Draconian law called the ARMED FORCES SPECIAL POWER ACT.
The Indian Penal Code is yet to be worked upon, its just a landmark judgement by the High Court of Delhi. Still a long way to go. The HC has clarified that the Section 377 has not been struck down, instead it will continue to govern with some changes within.
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