Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 73
Cake\Controller\Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 610
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 94
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\RoutingMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/RoutingMiddleware.php, line 162
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\AssetMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/AssetMiddleware.php, line 88
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 74
Cake\Controller\Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 610
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 94
Cake\Http\BaseApplication::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/BaseApplication.php, line 235
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\RoutingMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/RoutingMiddleware.php, line 162
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\AssetMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/AssetMiddleware.php, line 88
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Code Context
            if (Configure::read('debug')) {

                trigger_error($message, E_USER_WARNING);

            } else {
$response = object(Cake\Http\Response) {

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    <link rel="canonical" href="https://im4change.in/<pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined variable: urlPrefix [<b>APP/Template/Layout/printlayout.ctp</b>, line <b>8</b>]<div id="cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"></span><span style="color: #007700">&lt;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">head</span><span style="color: #007700">&gt;
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		&#039;title&#039; =&gt; &#039;Homosexuality unnatural, govt tells SC, promptly takes it back by Krishnadas Rajagopal&#039;,
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.
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A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &amp;ldquo;unnatural offence&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.
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In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&amp;rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.
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&amp;ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&amp;rdquo; the ministry&amp;rsquo;s reply had said.
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The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; sex crimes.
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&lt;br /&gt;
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But Malhotra&amp;rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.
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&lt;br /&gt;
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It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&amp;rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.
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&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.
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&lt;br /&gt;
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The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&amp;rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.
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&amp;ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&amp;rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&amp;rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.
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&lt;br /&gt;
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Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &amp;ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&amp;rdquo;.
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&lt;br /&gt;
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It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &amp;ldquo;assisting&amp;rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.
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&amp;ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&amp;rdquo; the release said.
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The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.
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On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &amp;ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&amp;rdquo;.
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The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.





A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing...&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &amp;ldquo;unnatural offence&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&amp;rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&amp;rdquo; the ministry&amp;rsquo;s reply had said.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; sex crimes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;But Malhotra&amp;rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&amp;rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&amp;rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&amp;rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&amp;rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &amp;ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&amp;rdquo;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &amp;ldquo;assisting&amp;rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&amp;rdquo; the release said.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &amp;ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&amp;rdquo;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &amp;ldquo;unnatural offence&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.
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&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&amp;rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&amp;rdquo; the ministry&amp;rsquo;s reply had said.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; sex crimes.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
But Malhotra&amp;rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&amp;rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&amp;rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&amp;rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&amp;rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &amp;ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&amp;rdquo;.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &amp;ldquo;assisting&amp;rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&amp;rdquo; the release said.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.





A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing...&#039;
$disp = &#039;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &amp;ldquo;unnatural offence&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&amp;rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&amp;rdquo; the ministry&amp;rsquo;s reply had said.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; sex crimes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;But Malhotra&amp;rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&amp;rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&amp;rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&amp;rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&amp;rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &amp;ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&amp;rdquo;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &amp;ldquo;assisting&amp;rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&amp;rdquo; the release said.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &amp;ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&amp;rdquo;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&rsquo;s view on homosexuality.





A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing..."/>
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                <strong>Homosexuality unnatural, govt tells SC, promptly takes it back by Krishnadas Rajagopal</strong></h1>
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                <div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&rsquo;s view on homosexuality.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &ldquo;unnatural offence&rdquo; &mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &ldquo;unnatural&rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">&ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&rdquo; the ministry&rsquo;s reply had said.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &ldquo;unnatural&rdquo; sex crimes.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">But Malhotra&rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">&ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&rdquo;.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &ldquo;assisting&rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">&ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&rdquo; the release said.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&rdquo;.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div>               </font>
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</span></span></code>
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.
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A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &amp;ldquo;unnatural offence&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.
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In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&amp;rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.
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&amp;ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&amp;rdquo; the ministry&amp;rsquo;s reply had said.
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The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; sex crimes.
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But Malhotra&amp;rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&amp;rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&amp;rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&amp;rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&amp;rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &amp;ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&amp;rdquo;.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &amp;ldquo;assisting&amp;rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&amp;rdquo; the release said.
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&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.
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&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &amp;ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&amp;rdquo;.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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	&#039;metaTitle&#039; =&gt; &#039;LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Homosexuality unnatural, govt tells SC, promptly takes it back by Krishnadas Rajagopal&#039;,
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.





A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing...&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &amp;ldquo;unnatural offence&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&amp;rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&amp;rdquo; the ministry&amp;rsquo;s reply had said.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; sex crimes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;But Malhotra&amp;rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&amp;rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&amp;rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&amp;rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&amp;rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &amp;ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&amp;rdquo;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &amp;ldquo;assisting&amp;rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&amp;rdquo; the release said.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &amp;ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&amp;rdquo;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &amp;ldquo;unnatural offence&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&amp;rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&amp;rdquo; the ministry&amp;rsquo;s reply had said.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; sex crimes.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
But Malhotra&amp;rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&amp;rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&amp;rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&amp;rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&amp;rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &amp;ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&amp;rdquo;.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &amp;ldquo;assisting&amp;rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&amp;rdquo; the release said.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &amp;ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&amp;rdquo;.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
	&#039;credit_writer&#039; =&gt; &#039;The Indian Express, 24 February, 2012, http://www.indianexpress.com/news/homosexuality-unnatural-govt-tells-sc-promptly-takes-it-back/916017/&#039;,
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.





A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing...&#039;
$disp = &#039;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &amp;ldquo;unnatural offence&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&amp;rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&amp;rdquo; the ministry&amp;rsquo;s reply had said.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; sex crimes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;But Malhotra&amp;rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&amp;rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&amp;rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&amp;rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&amp;rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &amp;ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&amp;rdquo;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &amp;ldquo;assisting&amp;rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&amp;rdquo; the release said.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &amp;ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&amp;rdquo;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&rsquo;s view on homosexuality.





A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing..."/>
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                <strong>Homosexuality unnatural, govt tells SC, promptly takes it back by Krishnadas Rajagopal</strong></h1>
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                <div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&rsquo;s view on homosexuality.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &ldquo;unnatural offence&rdquo; &mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &ldquo;unnatural&rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">&ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&rdquo; the ministry&rsquo;s reply had said.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &ldquo;unnatural&rdquo; sex crimes.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">But Malhotra&rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">&ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&rdquo;.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &ldquo;assisting&rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">&ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&rdquo; the release said.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&rdquo;.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div>               </font>
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    <link rel="canonical" href="https://im4change.in/<pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined variable: urlPrefix [<b>APP/Template/Layout/printlayout.ctp</b>, line <b>8</b>]<div id="cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr67fa96ddbc7a0-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"></span><span style="color: #007700">&lt;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">head</span><span style="color: #007700">&gt;
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<span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;link&nbsp;rel="canonical"&nbsp;href="<span style="color: #0000BB">&lt;?php&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #007700">echo&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Configure</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">read</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'SITE_URL'</span><span style="color: #007700">);&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">?&gt;&lt;?php&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #007700">echo&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$urlPrefix</span><span style="color: #007700">;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">?&gt;&lt;?php&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #007700">echo&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$article_current</span><span style="color: #007700">-&gt;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">category</span><span style="color: #007700">-&gt;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">slug</span><span style="color: #007700">;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">?&gt;</span>/<span style="color: #0000BB">&lt;?php&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #007700">echo&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$article_current</span><span style="color: #007700">-&gt;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">seo_url</span><span style="color: #007700">;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">?&gt;</span>.html"/&gt;
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.
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A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &amp;ldquo;unnatural offence&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.
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In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&amp;rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.
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&amp;ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&amp;rdquo; the ministry&amp;rsquo;s reply had said.
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The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; sex crimes.
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But Malhotra&amp;rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.
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It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&amp;rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.
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This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.
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The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&amp;rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.
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&amp;ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&amp;rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&amp;rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.
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Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &amp;ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&amp;rdquo;.
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It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &amp;ldquo;assisting&amp;rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.
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&amp;ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&amp;rdquo; the release said.
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The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.
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On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &amp;ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&amp;rdquo;.
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The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.





A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing...&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &amp;ldquo;unnatural offence&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&amp;rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&amp;rdquo; the ministry&amp;rsquo;s reply had said.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; sex crimes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;But Malhotra&amp;rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&amp;rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&amp;rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&amp;rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&amp;rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &amp;ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&amp;rdquo;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &amp;ldquo;assisting&amp;rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. 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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.
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&lt;br /&gt;
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A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &amp;ldquo;unnatural offence&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.
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&lt;br /&gt;
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In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&amp;rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.
&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&amp;rdquo; the ministry&amp;rsquo;s reply had said.
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; sex crimes.
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&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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But Malhotra&amp;rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.
&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&amp;rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&amp;rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&amp;rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&amp;rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &amp;ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&amp;rdquo;.
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &amp;ldquo;assisting&amp;rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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&amp;ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&amp;rdquo; the release said.
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&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &amp;ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&amp;rdquo;.
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&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.





A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing...&#039;
$disp = &#039;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&amp;rsquo;s view on homosexuality.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &amp;ldquo;unnatural offence&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&amp;rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&amp;rdquo; the ministry&amp;rsquo;s reply had said.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &amp;ldquo;unnatural&amp;rdquo; sex crimes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;But Malhotra&amp;rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&amp;rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&amp;rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&amp;ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&amp;rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&amp;rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &amp;ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&amp;rdquo;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. 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However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&amp;rdquo; the release said.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &amp;ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&amp;rdquo;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&rsquo;s view on homosexuality.





A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing..."/>
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                <strong>Homosexuality unnatural, govt tells SC, promptly takes it back by Krishnadas Rajagopal</strong></h1>
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                <div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&rsquo;s view on homosexuality.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &ldquo;unnatural offence&rdquo; &mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &ldquo;unnatural&rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">&ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&rdquo; the ministry&rsquo;s reply had said.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &ldquo;unnatural&rdquo; sex crimes.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">But Malhotra&rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">&ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&rdquo;.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &ldquo;assisting&rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">&ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&rdquo; the release said.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&rdquo;.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div>               </font>
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&rsquo;s view on homosexuality.
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<div style="text-align: justify">
A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &ldquo;unnatural offence&rdquo; &mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.
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In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &ldquo;unnatural&rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.
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&ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&rdquo; the ministry&rsquo;s reply had said.
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The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &ldquo;unnatural&rdquo; sex crimes.
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But Malhotra&rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.
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<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify">
It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.
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<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.
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<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
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The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.
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&ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.
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<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify">
Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&rdquo;.
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<br />
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It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &ldquo;assisting&rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.
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The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.
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On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&rdquo;.
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&rsquo;s view on homosexuality.





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<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify">
A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&rsquo;s view on homosexuality.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &ldquo;unnatural offence&rdquo; &mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.
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<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &ldquo;unnatural&rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
&ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&rdquo; the ministry&rsquo;s reply had said.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &ldquo;unnatural&rdquo; sex crimes.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
But Malhotra&rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
&ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&rdquo;.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &ldquo;assisting&rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify">
&ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&rdquo; the release said.
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<br />
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The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.
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<br />
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On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&rdquo;.
</div>
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<br />
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A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&rsquo;s view on homosexuality.





A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing...'
$disp = '<div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government&rsquo;s view on homosexuality.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an &ldquo;unnatural offence&rdquo; &mdash; the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry&rsquo;s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other &ldquo;unnatural&rdquo; offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">&ldquo;The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,&rdquo; the ministry&rsquo;s reply had said.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on &ldquo;unnatural&rdquo; sex crimes.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">But Malhotra&rsquo;s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government&rsquo;s neutral position on homosexuality.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups&rsquo; contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">&ldquo;Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody&rsquo;s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,&rdquo; Malhotra declared in court.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that &ldquo;Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)&rdquo;.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only &ldquo;assisting&rdquo; the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">&ldquo;The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,&rdquo; the release said.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given &ldquo;any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet&rdquo;.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify">The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.</div><div style="text-align: justify"><br /></div>'
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Homosexuality unnatural, govt tells SC, promptly takes it back by Krishnadas Rajagopal

A goof-up created by the law officer representing the Ministry of Home Affairs today ended up revealing a significant shift in the government’s view on homosexuality. A day-long hearing in the Supreme Court saw Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, representing the home ministry, argue that homosexuality is an “unnatural offence” — the exact line the government took in the Delhi High Court. In fact, a reference to the records filed by the ministry in the Delhi High Court shows that Malhotra was only dutifully following the then ministry’s script. A reply affidavit filed by the ministry on September 4, 2003 equates homosexuality with other “unnatural” offences like rape, bestiality and child sex. In fact, the ministry argues that repealing the provision would harm the social fabric. “The issue whether to retain or not to retain Section 377 IPC was considered by the Law Commission of India in its 42nd report and it observed that Indian society by and large disapproves of homosexuality and disapproval was strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even when adults indulge in it in private,” the ministry’s reply had said. The HC verdict in July 2009 had trashed this argument, taking homosexuality out of the purview of the section but retaining its hold on “unnatural” sex crimes. But Malhotra’s adherence to the old script seemed to have rattled the ministry today. It rushed out a press release to contradict him, emphasising the government’s neutral position on homosexuality. This when Malhotra took the better part of the day arguing before a Bench of Justice G S Singhvi and Justice S J Mukhopadhyay against a bunch of appeals filed by anti-gay groups challenging the Delhi High Court verdict. The law officer led arguments, copiously citing from legal precedents and quoting from expert surveys on how homosexuality leads to the spread of AIDS. During evening, he wound up with an open challenge to test the gay groups’ contention that Section 377 IPC was a violation of their right to privacy. “Whose privacy is being disturbed? Nobody’s privacy is being disturbed. Privacy is not an absolute right and is always subject to restriction. It (homosexuality) is an offence,” Malhotra declared in court. Meanwhile, the ministry, caught aback by news flashes on TV, was clarifying outside that “Ministry of Home Affiars has not taken any position on homosexuality as is being reported in the media (television channels)”. It explained that there was Cabinet decision taken after the Delhi High Court verdict to not file any appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had then decided, the statement said, to limit its role to only “assisting” the SC in case any other party goes ahead and challenges the high court decision. “The decision of the Cabinet was that Central Government may not file an appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court. However, if any other party to the case prefers an appeal, the Attorney General may be requested to assist the Supreme Court to examine the matter and to decide the legal questions involved,” the release said. The AG had given the same submission before the SC in July 2009 when the appeals were being admitted. On the incident today, the ministry specifically clarified that it had not given “any instruction apart from conveying the decision of the Cabinet”. The Union of India is represented by both ministries of home and health in the SC.