The NewSense

23 February, 2010

HUBLI: Last week the reader at Aligarh Muslim University was suspended by the University for being a gay. The professor is reader in modern Indian languages and has a PhD in Marathi and specializes in comparative Indian literature, modern Marathi fiction, short story and modern Marathi poetry. One can say he was modern Marathi manoos. But this time either shivsena or MNS did not support him though he was sacked by Muslim University. They respect the privacy of Marathi manoos though they may not agree for gay sex. Some rights activist and institutions are crying foul against the Aligarh Muslim University for sacking of professor, as now in India gay sex has been legalized since last year and it is no more offense as long as it is consensus. After all, the professor was having a good time with Autorikshaw puller not with any students or other teachers and more over it was act of a personal pleasure between two homo human beings who had every right to indulge into such activity which may be embarrassing to the tradition and culture of the country but not illegal any more in India.

This is not the first case; there are plenty of cases of homosexuality taking place in India everyday. And ever since this has become legal, people are endorsing it openly. In this case professor might have been shown the way out from the university because of his homogeneous taste but in many cases people have been invited ‘in’ for the same taste. It is one more instrument of doing the favor and exchanging the favors. You need not be of opposite sex to get your work done by using your sex. And that day is not far when man will rape man and there will be charges against man for raping. And even man can commit suicide after being raped by another man. And the same court will indict a man for raping another man which has legalized the gay sex. Women will be relieved as the man has found alternate source of entertainment and she will be spared to some extent. The so called modern world is thrilled about the gay life. It is no more absurd in metros and it has become fashion to say that “I am gay”. Lot many gay clubs, organizations and communities are spreading day by day and not only gay activity is increasing day by day even their activists are also increasing. They fight for their right (though it is not right in our cultural society) and so called elite society supports them.

It may not be illegal in India now to have gay sex but how many families really would like to see their children being part of it. Do they feel proud if their children are gay? Do they justify themselves that it is not wrong? No. they just can’t. They internally feel ashamed but while posing to the society they act as if there is nothing wrong in it. For the majority of the people in India it is not acceptable. Even in metros also not every elite and so called celebrity endorses this. But they hesitate to oppose it. They just ignore this issue. It is against very nature of the ‘nature’ but may not be against the law.

In the coming years the ‘gay’ sex is going to be very vital factor in our society and slowly the sacredness of marriage will vanish from the society and sex becomes merely an act for physical pleasure. The cultural ideology that strongly links sexual identity with the ability to marry and procreate will vanish from the society. Sex between men, especially among friends or within the family during adolescence and youth, is not regarded as sex, but masti, an exciting, erotic playfulness. Homosexuality is a way to satisfy an urgent bodily need or, for some, to make money. Sex, on the other hand, is the serious business of procreation within marriage. Over all the marriage loses it value and sacredness.

Even in the Manusmriti, which lists the oldest codes of conduct that were proposed to be followed by a Hindu, does include mention of homosexual practices, but only as something to be regulated. Though homosexuality was considered a part of sexual practices, it was not always well accepted. There were punishments prescribed for homosexual behavior. For instance, the verse referring to sexual relations between an older woman and a virgin (woman) reads”…a woman who pollutes a damsel (virgin) shall instantly have (her head) shaved or two fingers cut off, and be made to ride (through the town) on a donkey”, suggesting a severe punishment. However, the verse referring to sexual relations between two virgins suggests a relatively milder punishment – ”…a damsel who pollutes (another) damsel must be fined two hundred (panas), pay the double of her (nuptial) fee, and receive ten (lashes with a) rod”. These provisions, quoted out of context, seem homophobic, but in fact they are concerned not with the gender of the partners but with the loss of virginity that rendered a young woman unworthy of marriage. For instance, the punishment for a forced sex act between a man and a woman states ”…if any man through insolence forcibly contaminates a maiden, two of his fingers shall be instantly cut off, and he shall pay a fine of six hundred (panas)”, which seems more severe in comparison to the punishment prescribed for the same act between two virgins.

Manusmriti may not be relevant in this modern era but the act of gay sex is going to haunt and hurt the Indian cultural society in the coming days. Now there is only way for gay; either accept it or throw it out from the society. Let the people of India decide it , not any law by government.