Founder of Naz Foundation, which has filed a curative plea in Supreme Court on decriminalising homosexuality, Anjali Gopalan said, "It is really unfortunate that we abstained. On one hand we want to be considered a very progressive nation yet when it comes to protecting the rights of our people we don't want to do it."
Rejecting the explanation of MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup, who said India abstained from voting because the matter is sub-judice, Gopalan said, "What happened in UN has nothing to do with the case in Supreme Court, which is looking at decriminalising homosexuality. The UN vote is on documenting violence. So, what is the problem with saying yes. The decision to abstain really shows our mindset."
However he says there is a silver lining, "This time India abstained, which is a step forward from last time when it voted against rights for same sex couples. This time we abstained which could mean that on a later date India can change its stance."
He was referring to India's vote last year against the UN Secretary General's decision to extend marriage benefits to LGBT couples or same-sex couples.
"As heartbreaking as it is I am not surprised because this goes on to show the hypocrisy that we are dealing with in our country. To draw a link between the SC case and UN vote is an excuse to not touch anything remotely LGBT...
"It is this pink elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about. This also goes on to show that our country has no plan of evolution for LGBT rights, definitely till this government is in power," he said.
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