Supreme Court verdict on 377 violates human rights, says AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party issued a statement today condemning the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a Delhi High Court order which had declared section 377 of the Indian Penal Code unconstitutional, thereby decriminalizing homosexuality. A statement uploaded on the party website said that AAP was highly disappointed by the Supreme Court order. After maintaining a studied silence on the issue for a day, the AAP came out with the statement. Prior to AAP’s statement, Finance Minister Chidambaram sharply criticised the judgment. Sonia Gandhi, Kapil Sibal and Rahul Gandhi too expressed their disappointment at the verdict and assured that the government would take all possible measures to address the issue. [caption id=“attachment_1284307” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Arvind Kejriwal.[/caption] It also expressed apprehension that due to the ruling people from alternative sexual groups will be left at the mercy of indiscriminate action of the police. The party said that the ruling was behind the times and against the inclusive nature of our constitution. The party hoped that the Parliament will take up the issue and the Supreme Court will review the order. The statement said:

“The Aam Aadmi party is disappointed with the judgment of the Supreme Court upholding the Section 377 of the IPC and reversing the landmark judgment of the Delhi High Court on the subject. The Supreme Court judgment thus criminalizes the personal behavior of consenting adults. All those who are born with or choose a different sexual orientation would thus be placed at the mercy of the police. This not only violates the human rights of such individuals, but goes against the liberal values of our Constitution, and the spirit of our times.

Aam Aadami Party hopes and expects that the Supreme Court will review this judgment and that the Parliament will also step in to repeal this archaic law.” However, though the statement was uploaded on the party website and tweeted out, no AAP leader has yet come out and addressed the press or the public on this issue like other political figures.