Same-sex stricture draws ire

Gangtok, April 26: Chief minister Pawan Chamling’s warning of “zero tolerance” of homosexual relationships in Sikkim on Wednesday has drawn criticism from human rights activists. “We must not allow gay and lesbian culture in Sikkim. I have zero tolerance towards such an unnatural culture, even though some nations have accepted it. This will wipe out the world. Let us keep Sikkim pure,” he said. He then directed panchayats that they “must pass resolutions in gram sabhas against homosexuals in Sikkim”. Gangtok-based human rights activist Doma Bhutia objected to the chief minister’s stricture. “The marginalised section has a right to life, liberty and dignity in the society as others. Such a statement shows a patriarchal mindset, which does not recognise the rights of the marginalised section,” Bhutia said. In 2009, Delhi High Court in a landmark judgment struck down a provision of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalised consensual sexual acts of adults in private. The section was often used by police to harass homosexuals. “We declare Section 377 of Indian Penal Code, in so far as it criminalises consensual sexual acts of adults in private, is violative of Articles 21 (Right to Protection of Life and Personal Liberty), 14 (Right to Equality before Law) 15 (Prohibition of Discrimination on Grounds of Religion, Race, Caste, Sex or Place of Birth) of the Constitution,” the court had said. Sikkim does not have any registered NGOs that work on gay and lesbian rights. There is also no official record of homosexuals in the state. The leading opposition party Sikkim Krantikari Morcha also condemned the chief minister’s statement.