‘I’ve seen men who were gay, later on turn into heterosexuals’, says Ravi Shankar

While speaking at the JNU in Delhi, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said being homosexual is a "tendency" that "may change" later.

New Delhi, Nov 14: Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's latest comment on homosexuality is likely to stir up a hornet's nest, especially at a time when the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community is fighting legal and social battles to demand equality and acceptance in society.

On Monday, while speaking at the premier Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, the spiritual leader said being homosexual is a "tendency" that "may change" later, reported The Indian Express.

Actually, Sri Sri spoke on the issue after a student asked him how he should deal with ill-treatment by his friends and family over his sexual orientation.

"You treat yourself better, doesn't matter how others treat you. You don't think you are sick or something's wrong with you. If you stand up, nobody can insult you... But if you feel weak and meek, and if you feel bad about yourself, nobody can make you feel better," Sri Sri said.

"This is your tendency now. Just acknowledge it and accept it, and know that this tendency is not a permanent thing. It may change. I've seen many men who were gay, later in turn into heterosexuals, and there are those who are normal--what are called straight people--end up being gay later in life."

In fact, the spiritual leader spent the whole Monday at the JNU campus as he first delivered the 13th Nehru Memorial Lecture at the varsity during the morning and another lecture in the evening, where he took questions from the audience.

Another student asked Sri Sri about the "anti-national" tag given to the varsity "because of a few students".

He replied, "Rebelliousness is part of youthfulness. Some youths have a tendency to rebel. Just because they're talking different, don't think they're anti-national. Don't brand them... Nobody can be disloyal to the nation they are in.... If they are really so, they need counselling."

OneIndia News