After his purported remarks on the homosexuality issue were seen as a deviation from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s stand, its senior functionary Dattatreya Hosabale on Friday, in a series of tweets, c
After his purported remarks on the homosexuality issue were seen as a deviation from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s stand, its senior functionary Dattatreya Hosabale on Friday, in a series of tweets, clarified that the issue is a “socially immoral act” which needs to be treated as a “psychological” case and demanded a ban on gay marriages. A section of the media carried reports suggesting that the RSS has softened its stand on the homosexiality issue and had prominently quoted Mr Hosabale remarks: “Homosexuality is not a crime...”
Mr Hosabale later clarified that “Homosexuality is not a crime, but socially immoral act in our society. No need to punish, but to be treated as a psychological case.” He further said, “Approach to homosexuality should be ‘no criminalisation; no glorification either’. Gay marriage is institutionalisation of homosexuality. It should be prohibited.”
At an event on Thursday, when asked whether homosexuality was a crime as considered under Section 377 IPC, he had said, “I don’t think homosexuality should be considered a criminal offence as long as it does not affect the lives of others in society.”
He had also said, “sexual preferences are private and personal. Why should RSS express its views in a public forum RSS has no view on that. It is for people to have their way. Personal preference of sex is not discussed in RSS and we don’t even want to discuss that.”
Section 377 of Indian Penal Code terms homosexuality as unnatural and a criminal offence with a maximum punishment of 10 years in jail.
A senior RSS leader maintained that there was no “change” or “softening” of its stand on the issue and Mr Hosabale had only reiterated the organisation’s stand. Referring to an RSS report, this leader said before deciding the legal or illegal aspect of the issue, its social impact and whether the society at large is ready to accept it or not, should be considered.
During its annual conclave in 2014, the RSS had deliberated on the issue and its report had maintained “Before extending legality to such things, we have to keep in mind the long-time deleterious effect it will have on our social life. Law accords security to the individual. However, a society that goes by its traditions, conventions, culture and life-values, cannot be secured through law. Only guidance based on dharmic and social thought can ensure security to social life.”
