By Lipi Mehta:
[envoke_twitter_link]Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code is a discriminatory, archaic law[/envoke_twitter_link] that the British instituted in 1860, that criminalises all non-penile-vaginal intercourse as ‘against the order of nature’ in India, with a punishment of up to 10 years in jail. This means that two adult men having sex in their bedroom in India are criminals under the law. In a landmark judgement, the Delhi High Court termed it as ‘unconstitutional’ in 2009, but in a regressive move, the Supreme Court overruled the same in 2013.
Two days ago, [envoke_twitter_link]MP Shashi Tharoor announced a Private Member’s Bill to scrap Section 377 from the Indian Penal Code[/envoke_twitter_link]. This was received as a welcome move by many across the country who consider it to be high time to decriminalise consensual sex between adults, irrespective of gender and sexuality. The Bill was voted upon in the Parliament today.
Time to #Scrap377: my private member’s bill to be introduced in the LokSabha Friday afternoon (no discussion yet): https://t.co/y6A7HyDOMZ
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 16, 2015
My Pvt.Member’s Bill to decriminalize consensual sex between consenting adults (plus bills on sedition&asylum) will be introduced at 3.30pm — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 18, 2015
With 24 ‘Ayes’ and 71 ‘Noes’, the Bill was defeated, raising multiple questions about India’s progress and ‘development’.
The response to the introduction of the amendmnt of #s377@ShashiTharoor . the question is, will India ever progress. pic.twitter.com/EOn7iBd65X
— harish iyer (@hiyer) December 18, 2015
LGBT DEFEATED , Indian Lok Sabha voted against even discussing section 377 in parliament ! @humsafartrust pic.twitter.com/sPfh0Qqhp7 — Pallav Patankar (@Pallav01) December 18, 2015
Here are some other reactions from Twitter users:
A sad day in the say for democracy. We are officially a homophobic country. — harish iyer (@hiyer) December 18, 2015
I am so ashamed. So damn ashamed of our ministers. You have officially lined yourself with Saudi Arabia and other extremist nations.Shameful — harish iyer (@hiyer) December 18, 2015
71 noes, 24 ayes, 1 abst. @ShashiTharoor‘s bill to amend #Sec377 not admitted in the Lok Sabha. Defeated even w/o debate. Sad.
— Deepa Kumar (@dipaah) December 18, 2015
This is what regression looks like. @ShashiTharoor‘s bill on #Sec377 wasn’t allowed to be even introduced #LokSabha pic.twitter.com/uhVX8AFGgv — Jasmine Luthra (@JLuthra90) December 18, 2015
Pity that @ShashiTharoor bill on #sec377 was not admitted. It would’ve led to debates, strengthened democracy, championed human rights — Dhamini (@dhamini) December 18, 2015
This is exactly why we will always be called a “backwards” country. Thanks for trying though, @ShashiTharoor #Sec377 https://t.co/eTw5hN4h6B — ரசிதா (@itsRachita) December 18, 2015
@ShashiTharoor Thanks for trying to do the right thing for a change. The fact that you had 24 with you surprised me more! 71 is expected
— Arnab Bhattacharya (@BigBongTheory) December 18, 2015
How the lok Sabha voted. Sigh. One day at a time, one mind at a time. #sec377 pic.twitter.com/tkvSF6zlxU — Gaysi Family (@gaysifamily) December 18, 2015
Pvt member bill rejected by lok sabha members #nosec377 #lgbtrights #wewantfreedom — Yaariyan (@yaariyan_lgbtq) December 18, 2015
And this is what Shashi Tharoor has to say.
. @ashkronos We weren’t at passage. It was just “leave to introduce the bill” that was rejected by the intolerant.They couldn’t even debate! — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 18, 2015
1/2 Intro of Pvt.Member’s Bill2decriminalize consensual sex btwn consenting adults defeated in LS 71-24. Surprising to see such intolerance. — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 18, 2015
2/2 Notice of intent to oppose introducn of Bill came so late there was no time 2rally support. Will try again in future. We shall overcome! — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 18, 2015