Ramadoss views relevant: Court

The centre may have subbed Union Health Minister’s views in support of legalising homosexuality, but the Delhi HC sees his ministry’s concerns as “relevant and worth considering”.

The centre may have subbed Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss’ views in support of legalising homosexuality, but the Delhi High Court sees his ministry’s concerns as “relevant and worth considering”.

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The ministry’s views, based on a study that criminalisation of the homosexual act was impeding intervention under AIDS control programme, was “relevant and worth considering”, the court feels.

A bench of Chief Justice AP Shah and S Muralidhar told Additional Solicitor General PP Malhotra, appearing for the Centre, “Please show material, research paper or any document even from other country to substantiate your claim that decriminalisation (of gay sex) would lead to spread of HIV.”

“If criminalisation is a hindrance in providing right to health, it's a factor to be considered," Justice Shah said on Monday.

Men who have sex with men has been identified as a high risk. Enforcement of Section 377 might push it further.

Ramadoss, on his part, has decided to approach PM Manmohan Singh. “These are not my views, they're the views of the department. I'll take up the matter with the PM," Ramadoss said. He also asked the home ministry, which is against the move, to be “more responsible” in its statements.