Allahabad residents protest decriminalisation of gay sex

Allahabad, July 4 (ANI): Residents in Allahabad today protested decriminalisation of gay sex on Sunday to express their angst against the Delhi High Court's verdict announced a year ago.

On July 2, 2009, the Delhi High Court struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), calling it a violation of an individual's rights to freedom under Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution in cases dealing with gay sex, provided it is by consent of both individuals.

The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Community celebrated the High Court's decision on Friday.

"The acceptance that has been given by the central government to homosexuality is polluting our culture. The grand event of the homosexuals that happened in Delhi, to protest that, to save the Indian culture, to save the Indian youth and the new generation, we are staging this demonstration, to give the central government a warning that it should make strict law against homosexuality. In the land of Gautam, Gandhi and Chishti, we will not accept homosexuality," said Jalaal, a social activist.

Local residents claimed that it does not represent the Indian culture.

The protestors also included women.

The Delhi High Court's ruling has been challenged in the Supreme Court, which has asked the Central government to present its stand on the next date of hearing, September 14.

The Supreme Court, however, did not grant a stay on the High Court order of July 2, 2009. (ANI)