India discuss homosexuality

– The Indian government yesterday signalled it would not oppose a move to decriminalise homosexuality.

Section 377 of the penal code, a relic from 1860s British legislation, bans gay acts as “carnal intercourse” and allows for jail terms of up to life.

The Supreme Court began hearing petitions against the ban on Tuesday.

The Delhi High Court decriminalised gay sex in 2009, but the Supreme Court reinstated legal sanctions four years later. – AFP