Now that the Indian SC will hear the petitions challenging the Delhi HC’s verdict on gay sex on the 29th of September or thereabouts, the Cabinet has at last come out with its final view on the matter. This as we saw, was delayed since Chidambaram was off in the US, but the three important ministries along with the Prime Minister held a consultation and decided not to challenge the Delhi High Court’s verdict on Article 377.
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This isn’t really surprising to us since the government had already opined that the ruling was constitutional, and this is just a formal solidification of that stand. It means that the UPA has decided not to listen to astrologers, self styled preservers of “Indian Culture”, and those who would impose religious law on a free country. It’s quite a bold stand in spite of the government not outright supporting the verdict, which would be very politically unwise.
This way they’re able to say “See! The Constitution of India is the law. It’s not upto us. The SC will handle it.” Perfect. Now the Indian Supreme Court also knows that the government wants Article 377 to be read down.