Govt not to act in a hurry in repealing anti-Gay law: Moily

Government will not take a decision in a hurry to repeal the controversial Section 377 of IPC, which criminalises homosexuality, Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily said today following concerns voiced by some Christian and Muslim religious groups against the step.

Government will not take a decision in a hurry to repeal the controversial Section 377 of IPC, which criminalises homosexuality, Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily said on Monday following concerns voiced by some Christian and Muslim religious groups against the step.

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"The Government cannot take a decision in a hurry. We need to apply our mind," he told reporters here adding, "We are examining it."

The Minister had stated in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday that a decision on the issue would be taken only after considering concerns of all sections of society, including religious groups.

A meeting of the Union Home, Health and Law Ministers is expected be held to have a re-look at Section 377 of IPC that prohibits sex between people of the same gender.

Asked whether Government was backtracking after favouring repeal of the law, Moily said his earlier remarks had been "misinterpreted".

The minister said he had stated that re-think is needed on many sections of the IPC. Specifically asked about Sec 377 of the IPC, the Minister said his response had been "we are examining".

Some Christian and Muslim leaders have opposed scrapping of the law.