New Delhi: Noted fiction writer Chetan Bhagwat on Friday appreciated Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's changed stance on homosexuality and termed it as a 'monumental moment'.
Bhagat's comments come a day after, RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said, “Homosexuality should be considered a criminal offence as long as it does not affect the lives of others in society.”
Expressing his views on Twitter, the writer said, “Really appreciate RSS' comments on decriminalising homosexuality. Monumental moment. Let's appreciate when an organisation changes.”
Chetan Bhagat further opined that the Sangh still needs to go distance on homosexuality views. He also requested the media to appreciate new decriminalisation stance.
“True change happens slowly. Nudge rather than push. Listen to all sides. Respect all views. Move ahead. Insults, attacks achieve nothing. Often times my nudging based, 'everyone is good' based change approach is seen as weak or wishy-washy. However, that's all that ever works,” he tweeted.
Hosabale 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 carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in jail. Going by the global trends in this regard, there have been demands within the country to decriminalise homosexuality.
