Pramod Mutalik, who masterminded the pub attack in Mangalore six months ago, now plans rallies and a petition seeking restoration of Section 377
Pramod Mutalik, who masterminded the pub attack in Mangalore six months ago, now plans rallies and a petition seeking restoration of Section 377
Pramod Mutalik of Pink Chaddi fame will approach the Supreme Court to oppose legalisation of gay rights.
He believes the Delhi High Court's judgment against Section 377 will lead to the spread of AIDS.
Sri Rama Sene, which he founded, plans a huge rally against the verdict in Bangalore.
"We oppose it strongly," Mutalik, now near Belgaum, told MiD DAY over the telephone.
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Law in their hands: The Ram Sene had taken law into their hands and harassed women who were drinking at a pub in Mangalore file pic |
Mutalik's outfit, which drew flak for a pub attack in Mangalore six months ago, believes homosexuality goes against the natural order. "It is disgusting!" he said.
In February this year, women's groups from across India had sent him pink underpants to protest against his philosophy that women should not go to pubs or wear jeans.
On January 26, his men had raided a pub around 3 pm and assaulted customers, including some college girls.
Sene representatives later told MiD DAY some parents had thanked them for "rescuing" their daughters from bad company.
Mutalik was busy talking to his organisation's Delhi unit when MiD DAY contacted him.
"We are exploring all legal options. We will either challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court or file a writ petition in the High Court," he said.
At the hostelWardens of same-sex hostels in Bangalore have their own reservations.
"We just can't accept such things," said Rangaswamy, warden of the Backward Classes and Minorities Hostel at Nagarbhavi. "We will throw students out of the hostel if they indulge in gay sex."
The imam of Bangalore's biggest mosque was outraged. "Our law doesn't permit it," said Mohammed Maqsood Imran, who heads the Jamia Masjid, K R Market.
Many Hindu religious leaders agree. "It's wrong both religiously and morally. It just can't be accepted in a country like India and we oppose it," said Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji of the Pejawar math. He heads one of the eight maths founded in Udupi by saint Madhva-charya in the thirteenth century.
And here's what our politicians have to say About it...
It is a bad judgment. It is very unfortunate that the court has given such a judgment when it is not necessary. Our constitution ensures protection of religious belief, and the judgment is against beliefs of all religions, and hence is against the very letter and spirit of the constitution. As it is women and children are exploited, by deleting section 377 from the Indian Penal Code, women and children will be exposed to more sexual cruelty.
Pramila Nesargi, Chairman of Karnataka State Commission for womenI heard the Delhi High Court has passed the landmark judgment. But, I can react only after studying the judgment in detail, as it is a sensitive issue.
P M Narendra Swamy, Minister for women and child developmentAs a home minister I don't like to comment on the judgment. However, personally I am in agreement with the nature of the judgment, as it does not suit our society and culture.
V S Acharya,u00a0 Home Minister
