Yogi says it’s a disease, astrologer brings in animals: 377 goes to SC

Indian Express, July 9, 2009

Six days after the Delhi High Court ruled that gay sex between consenting adults was not a crime, yoga guru Baba Ramdev today challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court, contending that homosexuality is “a disease” which “can be cured” and that “right to privacy as a facet of right to life cannot include the right to enjoy deviant sexual preferences and sexual behaviour”.

The petition filed by Baba Ramdev on behalf of Bharat Swabhiman Trust quoted a Spanish psychiatrist who, it said, held the same view.

“The High Court erred in striking down the provision of Section 377 of IPC insofar as it penalizes consensual unnatural sex act of adults in private by proceeding on the basis of changing moral values and norms, and ignoring the fundamental constitutional principles of judicial restraint,” the petition stated.

Another petition has been filed by astrologer Suresh Kumar Kaushal who wants the July 2 High Court ruling quashed. It is likely to be mentioned before the apex court tomorrow for an urgent stay. The petition by Kaushal contended that a homosexual act, by all standards, was an unnatural act and could not be permitted.

“No one can imagine the consequences of the unnatural acts. Even animals don’t indulge in such activities,” the petition stated. He said the High Court judgment would result in spread of HIV as “it has been amply proved that the HIV virus is a result of unnatural sex.”

“We have to look at our own scriptures to seek guidance from them and it is against such behaviour in our society.” He went on to say that if “such abnormality” is permitted “then tomorrow people might seek permission for having sex with animals.”