INDIA: Supreme Court Defers On 2009 Ruling Decriminalizing Homosexuality

In 2009 the New Delhi High Court issued a landmark ruling decriminalizing homosexuality. That judgment prompted religious and political groups to petition the Indian Supreme Court to overturn the ruling. Today the Supreme Court deferred their decision until "after summer vacations."

Senior BJP leader B P Singhal, who had approached the High Court opposing legalisation of gay sex, has challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court saying such acts are illegal, immoral and against ethos of Indian culture. Religious organisations like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Utkal Christian Council and Apostolic Churches Alliance have opposed the High Court's verdict. Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Right, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munn Kazhgam, astrologer Suresh Kumar Kaushal and yoga guru Ramdev have also opposed the verdict in the apex court.

Indian activists are disappointed that the Court refused to reject the petitions entirely. Below, Australian television covers the issue in a report filed before today's deferment.