RSS SAYS IT’S AGAINST SAMESEX MARRIAGE

NEW DELHI: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has maintained an ambiguous stand on homosexuality, on Thursday said it agrees with the Supreme Court’s judgment to decriminalise gay sex but does not support same-sex marriages. RSS spokesperson, Arun Kumar, in a written statement, said: “Like the SC, we also do not consider this [homosexuality] to be a crime. But same-sex marriages are not compatible with norms of nature, so we do not support such relations.”

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has maintained an ambiguous stand on homosexuality, on Thursday said it agrees with the Supreme Court’s judgment to decriminalise gay sex but does not support same-sex marriages.

RSS spokesperson, Arun Kumar, in a written statement, said: “Like the SC, we also do not consider this [homosexuality] to be a crime. But same-sex marriages are not compatible with norms of nature, so we do not support such relations.”

The parent organisation of the BJP, the Sangh cited the “traditions of Indian society” as a reason to reject same-sex relationships, pointing out that these have not been conventionally accepted over the years. “Bharatiya (Indian) society also doesn’t have the tradition to recognise such relations,” Kumar said. “Humans generally learn from experience, that is why this issue needs to be taken care of at the social and psychological levels.” Over the years, however, the RSS has softened its stand on homosexuality. The first signs of a change in stance appeared in 2016 when Dattatreya Hosabale, a joint general secretary of the organisation, said: “Homosexuality is not a crime but a socially immoral act in our society.” He said homosexuality should be treated as a psychological issue.

Ratan Sharda, author of RSS 360°: Demystifying Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, said: “Indian society does not see homosexuality as a crime; our scriptures talk of tritya prakriti (third nature) and the ardhnarishawar (half-man, half-woman as Lord Shiva is referred to). And sexual inclination is decided at the time of conception ...criminalisation is a Victorian idea born out of Christian world view.”

However, the Manusmriti, a text that codifies conduct of upper caste men and women, lays down purification rituals as a punishment for homosexual intercourse, and a monetary fine for intercourse with a woman of an oppressed caste.

As for same-sex marriages, the concept needs to be studied to ascertain their impact on children, said Sharda.

Asked whether the RSS has deliberately chosen to remain ambivalent to avoid upsetting orthodox supporters, a senior RSS functionary not wishing to be named said the RSS has been “dragged into commenting” on what is “essentially a personal preference”.