Conservative Hindu reactions to non heterosexual rights in India

Abstract

India, often celebrated as the largest democracy in the world and, despite observable ‘modernist’ trends and 
secularizing trajectories, remains a deeply religious culture displaying entrenched attitudes towards 
traditional family life and sexual conduct. In 2009, homosexuality was legalised by the High Court of the 
nation’s capital, Delhi. Although the repeal of the law prohibiting homosexual behaviour, instigated in 1860 
during the British colonial period, only applied throughout the territory of the nation’s capital city, the reversal 
compelled India’s government to either appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court or nullify it. The ruling 
landmark brought to a head conflicting views of the legality and legitimacy of non-heterosexuality and, more 
broadly, symbolized the ongoing contestation between ‘progressive’ and ‘traditionalist’ elements in Indian 
society. This paper explores conservative Hindu responses in particular to non-heterosexual rights. It attempt 
to show that the current reaction by such constituencies displays inherently problematic posturing and even 
contradictions which are expressed through both religious and political discourse.