Constitution bench to reconsider new LGBT law

Participants dance under a a rainbow flag as they attend the sixth Delhi Queer Pride parade, an event promoting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights, in New Delhi November 24, 2013. Hundreds of participants on Saturday took part in a parade demanding freedom and safety of their community, according to a media release. REUTERS/Mansi Thapliyal (INDIA - Tags: SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Giving fresh hopes to the marginalised LGBT people, a constitution bench will reconsider the Supreme Court verdict on the LGBT sexual rights. While examining re-view petition, the apex court on last day referred the case to a five-member constitution bench considering the importance of the issue. Recently, SC, through a sensational verdict, had criminalized the sexual activities between same-sex consenting adults under section 377 of the Indian Constitution. Earlier, there were only three-member constitution benches but the new Supreme Court Chief Judge T.S Thakur has formed five member benches for early disposal of the cases. As of now, around twenty nine cases are pending before the bench. A similar constitution bench is currently hearing the controversial “President Rule in Himachal Pradesh” issue. Meanwhile, several social activists have welcomed the court’s move to refer the LGBT issue to a constitution bench. Chidambaram, former Union Home Minister, in an exclusive interview with prominent news daily, expressed happiness and said the court is trying to correct the mistake. He hopes that the Supreme Court would uphold the Delhi High Court’s judgement on the LGBT sexual rights. However, Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister, in an exclusive interview with prominent news daily, categorised the matter as a human issue. He asserts that the authorities should study different aspects before taking a final decision in the issue. Meanwhile, he claims that the government has not yet made out a final solution in the issue.

Vignesh

Photo Courtesy : Google/ images are subject to copyright

Tags: