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The gay community, along with activists, begins an online signature campaign demanding justice in the death of gay professor Dr Siras

MYSTERIOUS DEATH: Dr Srinivas Ramchandra Siras was under suspension on charges of homosexual acts at his house

The case of gay Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) professor's death is getting more bizarre by the day. The gay community, along with activists has upped their demand for justice after the police revealed that they found traces of poison in Dr Srinivas Ramchandra Siras' (64) body.

After a candlelight memorial was held in Mumbai over the weekend, outraged academics, supporters, gays and concerned citizens have started an online signature campaign demanding justice. The petition is addressed to President Pratibha Patil as she is the chancellor of the AMU.

Harish Iyer, gay rights activist, told MiD DAY, "It is absolutely appalling. We want those who are responsible for driving him to suicide, to be held for culpable homicide."

Siras was under suspension on charges of homosexual acts at his house. Journalists from a television channel filmed him having consensual sex with a man who was identified as a rickshaw puller.

The case so far
Siras was suspended from AMU on charges of homosexuality after a few journalists filmed him having consensual sex with a man inside his house, in February. He had challenged the varsity administration in the Allahabad High Court. The professor was reinstated after the court stayed his suspension, a few days prior to his death.

Activist Lesley Esteves of Voices against Section 377, Delhi, said India's gay and lesbian community would pursue justice for the professor. "The professor was denied dignity to life and now he has been denied dignity in death too," he added.

Global outrage

The case has sparked a global outrage. A signatory, Raj S writes, "As a former Indian citizen and someone who came out of the closet in the US, I find it shameful that we have to cope with this horror in modern-day India."

Aphia Kumar, another signatory adds, "To sit quiet and let this pass unnoticed is a crime that we commit."

The petition, has been gaining popularity and support after the police announced that there were traces of poison in Siras' body. Almost 800 persons have signed the petition by now. Many have also blamed the AMU University in the petition. Mandira Jaisimha from Hyderabad said, "I am appalled, disgusted and speechless." But Graham Binning from Ohio, captures the mood when he warns, "The world is watching, India."

What they want

The petition filed by Integrated Network of Sexual Minorities (INFOSEM), the largest network of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups in India, is addressed to President Pratibha Patil and requests for justice for the dignified and law-abiding professor. The petition states: >>Immediate suspension of the vice-chancellor of AMU >>A demand for a transparent and open autopsy of the body of the late professor to determine exact cause of death >>A sitting judge enquire into the circumstances of Siras' suspension >>Constitute an enquiry by a sitting judge or by the CBI into the financial dealings of the vice-chancellor

Sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/AMUSiras/petition.html