'HIV cases will rise': Subramanian Swamy on landmark 377 verdict

In a historic decision, the top court delivering separate but concurring judgments, said it is the constitutional and not social morality which will prevail. The verdict sparked celebrations amongst the LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, intersex and queer/questioning) community across India.

Indian members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community celebrate outside the Supreme Court after the decision to strike down the colonial-era ban on gay sex in New Delhi on September 6, 2018. India's Supreme Court on September 6 struck down the ban that has been at the centre of years of legal battles. "The law had become a weapon for harassment for the LGBT community," Chief Justice Dipak Misra said as he announced the landmark verdict. / AFP PHOTO / Sajjad HUSSAIN

New Delhi: Expressing disappointment over Supreme Court’s verdict on decriminalizing homosexuality,  BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said the verdict is not final and can still be challenged. “There is no finality in the Supreme Court's judgment today. This judgment can be overturned by a seven-judge bench,” Swamy told TV news channel CNN-News18. Terming homosexuality as a “genetic disorder”, Swamy said this would lead to a rise in sexually transmitted diseases. “This verdict could give rise to other issues such as increase in the number of HIV cases, gay bars, etc. It cannot be treated like an alternate sexual behaviour," Swamy further told the channel. In a historic decision, the top court delivering separate but concurring judgments, said it is the constitutional and not social morality which will prevail. The verdict sparked celebrations amongst the LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, intersex and queer/questioning) community across India. Chief Justice Dipak Misra, also speaking for Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, said attitude and mentality has to change to accept the others' identity and accept what they are and not what they should be. Justice Rohinton Nariman, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Indu Malhotra delivered concurring judgments thereby making the verdict of the five-judge bench a unanimous one. (With additional information from news agency IANS)