Cyber war heats up over gay sex verdict

Bringing out the deep divisions in Indian society about homosexuality, netizens have given a mixed reaction to the Delhi High Court ruling legalising gay sex, with some terming it as a 'great judgment' and some saying same-sex relations are 'unnatural' and against Indian culture. Comments poured in blogs and media websites after the Delhi High Court gave the path-breaking judgment legalising gay sex between consenting adults.

"It (the judgment) will give dignity to all individuals irrespective of their sexual inclination," writes a man from Thane in Maharashtra while one netizen describes it as a "great judgment that will let everyone be free and live by his or her free will."

"Legalising gay couples was left too late. About time it was done. All over the world, gays are accepted by the people so why not in India," asks another. However, there are others who differ, calling homosexuality 'unnatural', harmful for Indian culture and anti-religion. Many comments are strongly abusive of the gay and lesbian communities.

"Our culture never accepts this kind of activity," says a post, while another asks "Why not decriminalise/ legalise polygamy and polyandry also? Let's include adultery too."

In the cyber war on the issue, gay rights supporters have come out strongly against the argument that this will harm Indian culture.

An anguished netizen writes, "To those who say that it 'destroys' Indian culture, I would suggest you to see historical recordings of homosexual relationships in Indian culture. If you still say that it destroys our culture, what was abolition of sati then?"

"These people are not from a different planet -- they are your brothers, sisters, colleagues, the doctor who treats your child, the driver who drives your cab, the director who made the movie you loved," says another post.

There are others like a man from Navi Mumbai who takes a middle path, saying though he feels "homosexuality is no doubt an aberration", the court decision "should be respected and those who are opposed to it should appeal in the Supreme Court".