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A matter of right

If Dr. Mohana Krishnanswamy (Letters, Nov. 10) is to turn consistently to the animal kingdom for inspiration on human conduct she must first address the institution of marriage for which she is likely to find less than overwhelming evidence there. But all this is beside the point, really.

The campaign to repeal Section 377 of the IPC has little to do with soliciting the "sympathy and understanding" for "homosexuals" proposed by her. It is a movement led by `normal' Indian citizens horrified by a blatant violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India to all its peoples. Animals do not come into this at all.

Pulapre Balakrishnan,
Kozhikode, Kerala

The debate about homosexuality is about free will. Only if individual freedom hurts society, should it be a matter of concern. I am at a loss to understand how sexual orientation of a person can hurt society. If a man or woman wants to live with a willing same-sex partner, let him or her do so.

Don't you think India affords its citizens the right to be themselves, not what others want them to be?

Rohit Mammen John,
Chennai

I was disappointed to read Dr. Krishnaswamy's reply. Even after being provided with well-researched proof and official statements of respected organisations such as the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the World Health Organisation that homosexuality is not a disorder, she sees it as a crime.

Can her stand that there is "room for free will" and "responsibility of society to nurture what is desirable and discourage what is not" be used for forcing left-handed people to become right-handed? I request her to read relevant literature on homosexuality without any personal bias.

I appreciate The Hindu for publishing an article by Anil Divan on abolishing Section 377. With liberal democracies around the world legalising same-sex marriages, Dr. Krishnaswamy's insistence on declaring homosexuality a crime smacks of personal prejudice and phobia.

Palanivel K. Raju,
Toledo, Ohio

Although Dr. Krishnaswamy calls for our sympathy and understanding (as if homosexuals asked for them), she also cautions us against decriminalising homosexuality — as if it is a crime. It is people like Dr. Krishnaswamy who need our sympathy and understanding.

Koti Sreekrishna,
Mason, Ohio

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