With my maiden diary at firedoglake - http://seminal.firedoglake.com/... - I attempted to bring an important issue to the blogosphere in the hope that you can join me in pressuring the people of India to counter the self-described wise sages of India. First some background ... the Delhi High Court recently ruled that homosexuality is not a crime - http://www.dnaindia.com/...
With my maiden diary at firedoglake - When is a Yogi Not A Yogi - I attempted to bring an important issue to the blogosphere in the hope that you can join me in pressuring the people of India to counter the self-described wise sages of India. First some background ... the Delhi High Court recently ruled that homosexuality is not a crime - http://www.dnaindia.com/...
In a significant victory for gay rights, the Delhi high court (HC) on Thursday declared as "unconstitutional and arbitrary" the 149-year-old law that criminalises consensual homosexual acts among adults. However, the court said that section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) will continue for non-consensual and non-vaginal sex involving minors.
This ruling struck down a 149 year-old law. But many 'enlightened sages" who still wish to live in the 18th century and keep society under their control have reacted in anger to a Court awarding equal rights in a Democracy. This ruling has significance beyond homosexuality, it is a direct hit on discrimination and an important opinion supporting equal rights ...
Going beyond decriminalising homosexuality, the Delhi HC has widened the ambit of article 15 of the constitution, which prohibits discrimination on grounds of sex, religion and caste. It has expanded the term sex to include sexual orientation. This means a person cannot be discriminated against on grounds of sexual preference.
Writing for the judgement, the Bench declares,
"As it stands, section 377 denies a gay person the right to full personhood which is implicit in the notion of life under article 21,"
India took a huge step away from discrimination and hatred and towards equal opportunity. Why then is a prominent Godman moving the Supreme Court to cast out such an incredible ruling ?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...
" Noted yoga exponent Baba Ramdev on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court with a special leave petition (SLP) challenging the recent Delhi High Court judgement decriminalising sexual relationship between two consenting adults in private.
The SLP advanced Ramdev's view that "homosexuality is a disease that is curable" and went on to quote a Spanish psychiatrist who also held the same view. "Right to privacy as a facet of right to life cannot include the right to enjoy deviant sexual preferences and sexual behaviour," said Ramdev. "
Today, a prominent Astrologer joined in the fray ... Supreme Court takes up hot button issue
"If such abnormality is permitted, then tomorrow people might seek permission for having sex with animals.", SK Kaushal"
Who knew that Rick Santorum moonlights as a Reader of the Stars ?
The sad fact is, just as the highest Offices in America were co-opted by fanatics who will say and do anything to hold the reins of power and rob the treasury, so too these rogues have co-opted my field of yoga. They preach hatred and slavery as the pathway to freedom and enlightenment. For too long, the masses have been blind followers, we must call the State Dept. and our members of Congress, write Letters to Editors and call the Indian Consulates & Embassies and demand that they support the High Court for Equal Rights for all Humans. Ask them whether India is a 21st Century democracy or not !
Do whatever you can to encourage yoga/meditation teachers to express the true tenets of Yoga - that everyone is born with the same potential and deserves equal respect.
UPDATE: Headline changed, as per my BFF's suggestion. Sorry for not posting this update sooner ... I'm a nOOb !
Please comment on any additional ideas below and thanks for reading ! First timer ... be gentle ! g