RSS leader says homosexuality a ‘psychological’ problem
Speaking at the India Today Conclave on Thursday, Hosabale 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.”
RSS office bearer Dattatreya Hosabale said on Friday that homosexuality though not a crime, is socially immoral and should be treated as a psychological case, a day after stating that it should not be treated a criminal offence.
“Homosexuality is not a crime, but socially immoral act in our society. No need to punish, but to be treated as a psychological case,” tweeted Hosabale.
The Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh joint general secretary also tweeted that gay marriage should be prohibited.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave on Thursday, Hosabale 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.”
His statement was in response to a question on whether homosexuality is a crime as considered under Article 377 IPC.
“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,” Dattatreya added.
Section 377 of Indian Penal Code terms homosexuality as unnatural and carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in jail. Going by the global trends in this regard, there have been demands in India to decriminalise homosexuality.
Read | Homosexuality not a crime but socially immoral: RSS