Setting an unhealthy precedent for Indian democracy, Dr. Tharoor’s second attempt to introduce a Private Member’s Bill to amend Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code was defeated in the Lok Sabha yesterday, amidst a mocking laughter. MPs from both the ruling and the opposition parties were seen united in homophobic solidarity- in remaining absent, refusing to debate or mocking. What a fine display of tolerance and loyalty!

An unprecedented popular support for Dr. Tharoor, continues to pour in on the Social Media. His petition to decriminalize homosexuality has already been signed by over 65,000 people so far.

What made our MPs, the now reigning champions of this colonial cause, mock the sentiments of these 65,000 people and their ilk? Here are some possible reasons:

Ignorance: An opinion I hold about this issue is that a good number of our MPs must be unaware of what Section 377 of the IPC stood for. One remarkable feature of the ruling party is the benighted homogeneity in its ranks- from MPs, to twitter trolls. For example; Tharoor’s previous attempt to introduce this Bill in the parliament was greeted by a cacophony of personal attacks both in the Parliament and on Twitter.

Section 377 of the IPC, is a colonial remnant of the 1860’s making “carnal intercourse against the order of nature,” a punishable offence. This includes fellatio and gay sex. Thus, when Dr. Tharoor talks of scraping 377; he actually also talks of scraping an obnoxious law that could be misused to breach your privacy to pronounce you a criminal right in your bed. (We have witnessed a blatant misuse of Section 124-A already)

Now coming to the persistent question- ‘’Why now? Were you sleeping for 60/10 years?’’

Well, the issue has been in the public domain since 1991. No don’t accuse me of lying straightaway- There’s a search engine called ‘Google’ (www.google.com)

So just in case you have more doubts, please type ‘’Sec 377 IPC’’ in the search box and hit enter, click on the various links displayed, and for God’s sake, read  the content. All the best!

Funny-  in the country of Kama sutra‘s origin, where Khajuraho’s rock sculptures stand tall, the elected representatives of its 21st century could summon up the courage to watch porn in the parliament but won’t debate 377.

The irreligious extent:  With due apologies to my religious brethren- If I were God, I wouldn’t leave it on the wisdom of my worshipers to decipher the meaning of ‘’natural.’’  But just in case you happen to have a sound scientific explanation, let me know how you decide if something was against the law of nature!

Coming back to the topic (and the fact that Indian culture has historically been very liberal about sexuality) it is clear that India’s now conservative sexual policies are actually an adaptation of the British Principles (or possibly older, dating back to Islamic invasion?)

Scholars opine that it was difficult to prove that Hinduism as a religion would be theologically anti-gay.  The Abrahamic religions on the other hand have their religious texts quoting extensively against homosexuality. So when prominent figures of the Hindutva talk against the scraping of Sec. 377, they actually uphold Abrahamic  religious principles. Any debate on homosexuality must begin with an attempt to clear this confusion up.

Lack of debate, consequent lack of popular consensus on homosexuality and ignorance on the scope of Sec. 377- India hit the 21st century with a confusion on what principles it stood for. Its present elected representatives, a majority of whom have rode on the wave of religious jingoism to victory must have thus, found it proper to uphold morality (ignorance), remain silent/ absent (piety) or ridicule (defend their confused perception of culture).

Dr. Tharoor had perhaps overestimated the intellectual capability and loyalty of his fellow MPs. In voicing the concerns of sexual minorities in India; Dr. Tharoor belonged to an intellectual minority in the Parliament himself.

Though he has given up, hope his efforts spark a debate in the public domain- That exactly is what we now need.

P.S.- Dear Trolls (and their MPs): Support to gay rights doesn’t induce a change in the supporter’s sexual orientation. Science and nature don’t work this way! So keep your bigoted logic to yourself.