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RSS leader makes amend of his comment that homosexuality no crime

by IBNS 18 Mar 2016, 08:20 am

New Delhi, Mar 18 (IBNS) RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale, whose sympathetic comment on homosexuality raised a few eyebrow, has posted a controversial clarification, describing it as a "socially immoral act" to be treated as a "psychological" case.

"Homosexuality is not a crime, but socially immoral act in our society. No need to punish, but to be treated as a psychological case," tweeted  Hosabale, RSS general secretary, in what is being seen as a climbdown from his earlier stand that homosexuality is not a crime.

 Hosabale also said that "gay marriage is Institutionalization of homosexuality. It should be prohibited."

On Thursday, replying to a question at the India Today conclave on whether homosexuality should remain a criminal offence, the RSS leader had said: "I don't think homosexuality should be considered a criminal offence as long as it does not affect the lives of others in society."

But he added that his organisation has no view on homosexuality as it is a personal choice.

"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," he said.

Activists have challenged a Supreme Court ruling upholding the colonial-era Section 377 that says gay sex is a crime that can lead to 10 years in jail.