Comments on: Queer Sexuality and Indian Culture

By: Azura

Azura — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:13:26 +0000

I doubt anyone here actually what its like to be a homosexual. I most certainly don’t.Then, as long as two men love each other ans have sex by mutual consent, what is the problem? People talk of remedies like “Go to a psychiatrist” or “They are unnatural, they need counselling.” Has anyone, anyone even stopped for a moment to think what those two people, those two guys with feeling and a heart undergo when they face such treatment? Is it their fault that they are homosexual? It is within them from birth, irreversible. Moreover, what kind of society is this anyway, where people ignore a man who beats and tortures his wife, women and children being forced into slavery, labour and prostitution, while making such a roar about homosexuality? Format a mind? Just what kind of a person would say that. Humans are given the greatest gift of all, that of individuality. To “format” would mean to brainwash. Then how exactly are we different from the Nazi social system? How are two men in love harming others? As long as people keep pointing fingers and passing prejudiced comments and persecuting humans for doing absolutely nothing harmful, lives of so many people will be destroyed. I hope you people are ready for that guilt.

By: Vivek Tejuja

Vivek Tejuja — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:44:26 +0000

@R Prakash: May be it is time for you to go see a doctor – and that of a head! Quotes from the Ramayan or Mahabharata are not stated to support homosexuality at all. Understand that it cannot be chosen. It is there in the person from birth and only latent, which sometimes needs an expression to be realized. You speak of formatting minds, well if only hearts, minds, bodies and souls were excel sheets, then may be we could get them formatted. You claim to be straight isn’t it? Then go the other way – Let’s format your mind (in your own words). Would you be able to? No one is bringing their so-called perversion out of the bedroom. I am certain you do not see the likes of us making out or having sex in public areas and if you did, then I am only heading to wonder that what were you doing there in the first place? You speak of pollution. I will tell you what is pollution. Pollution is when a woman is raped. Polltion is when a child is abused. Pollution exists when there is terrorism. Pollution is not about two men loving each other. Pollution is not about two men who are adults wanting to have sex with each other. Pollution is only in your mind. Sorry. Let’s just repeat one word of yours: Shame!!

By: Rakesh

Rakesh — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:51:02 +0000

I found the articles and comments to be quite good.They throw light on an important social (and personal) issue in a scientific and rational manner (to a great extent).

1. In my opinion, Dr Pattnaik is right when he says that no one has any right to decide what is criminal or perverted or illegal, as long as it does not hurt anyone. When we ourselves are not perfect, who are we to decide what is right? Yes, we can object when we are harmed by something or someone in some way.

2. At the same way, just because it is not criminal does not mean that it is okay or it is not an anamoly. frankly speaking, I don’t know whether it is an anamoly or not. Neither should it be glamourised. But what I do understand is that in our journey towards transcendence, such urges need to be won over. Even the normal sex urges need to be moderated/regulated in our journey towards higher goals. If that is the spirit, then perhaps we should try to control our urges after procreation, but of course, not doing does not make it criminal, or illegal. So is the case with homosexuality.

3. Empathy is required not only for homosexuals, but even an actual criminal, who needs to be transformed.

By: Avi

Avi — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:27:09 +0000

@R.Prakash:

Again, if sexual intercourse was for just procreation, around 80% of the heterosexual couples should stop having sex. There would be no need for contraception – if you are going to use contraception, then it is “unnatural” sex, as it does not result in procreation. This entire premise is completely out-of-current-reality. Also, your argument that “other creations” in nature “indulge in sexual intercourse, only with opposite sex” is wrong – there have been around 1500 documented species of the animal kingdom that have exhibited homosexuality. For every argument that one can come up, there is a valid, logical explanation provided by the scientific community explaining homosexuality. Keeping all this aside, no one has the right to decide what is “criminal” or “illegal” or “perverted”, as long as it does not hurt other people.

Dr. Pattnaik,
Great series of articles! Thank you.

By: AMARANATH

AMARANATH — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:28:31 +0000

Fantastic! It is very heartening that so many views are being percolated towards a issue so very very private. Knowledgs brings in scientific temper and with that temper it is very easy to digest scientific and non-scientific things. Please continue with this endeavour.

By: Durga

Durga — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:25:30 +0000

Indian ( hindu) mythological texts provide a multitudinous view of life emphasising the evolutionary aspect of universe.There is no right or wrong.Things are as they are.But in this bewildering variety of pulsating Energy many combinations are possible.For humans ,of course a desirable course of action is also chartered by sages as per their personal predilections.Absolute fredom of independent ideas galore is the general rule.
But EKAM SAT VIPRAH BAHUDHA VADANTI is also emphasized.

By: Dr Jyoti Prasad Pattnaik

Dr Jyoti Prasad Pattnaik — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:23:50 +0000

I am amazed at the way you have put up so many examples, I do agree with your views and do agree also that what happens is surely for a cause, let the blamers do their pull why not the people live happily as before???

By: R.Prakash

R.Prakash — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:05:46 +0000

You say, sex is not for procreation. Sexual urge is for procreation only. If you watch creations other than human beings, they indulge in sexual intercourse, only with opposite sex and give birth to offsprings. Man has to build relations for sex only for this purpose. Other wise, it is obsession. Human beings have restricted their sexual activity for few children, naturally speaking thay can have more till their time of fertility exists. If not, apply the rules of the society, have restricted sex with your designated wives. Homos are perverted, not natural. Please do not make this an accepted behaviour. It is pollution.

By: R.Prakash

R.Prakash — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:50:19 +0000

One often thinks that stories from scriptures gives sanctions to things that are unnatural. Unfortunately, defying your own (running) uotes, you pick up loose incidents in Mahabharata / Ramayana to support your favouring views on homosexuality. Homosexuality is real. One cannot push it under the carpet. At the same time we must understand that the sexual urges by nature are meant for the process of procreation. Instead, human beings, have glamourised the process of sexual intercourse ( I mean Mallika Sheravat, etc.,. ) Homosexuality is unnatural, unnecessary for procreation, people having this urge, need their minds to get formatted. The least they can do to maintain decency, is not bringing their perversion out of their bedrooms. Shame!!!

By: Aashish

Aashish — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:43:41 +0000

Came to your site after reading your article on rediff, rebuffing Baba Ramdev’s views. The above article was quite interesting to read. I would like to know more about the ancient scriptures and their relevance in today’s life….not just sexuality, but other spheres too.