Homophobia came into India, not homosexuality, says Vikram Seth

Disappointed at the Supreme Court's ruling upholding Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), author Vikram Seth said political parties that favour this ruling should know that homophobia came into India and not homosexuality.

"There is no question about the fact that this ruling has pushed us backwards, and now you will be a criminal if you are open about it. Can you imagine the huge weight of this law of Indian Supreme Court, a revered institution?" Seth told IANS.

"To an eternal shame, one of the two leading parties of our country has also said that put these people into jail for life as this is against Indian culture. They don't know a thing about Indian culture. It is homophobia that came into India and not homosexuality," he added, saying Khajuraho, Kamasutra and Sun temple have always been here.

"Even if you read 'Baburnama' - the book of founder of Mughal empire Babur, you will see how there are fine descriptions of him being in love with another man and how he speaks about it. It is very moving," he said.

Author of 'A Suitable Boy' was clearly upset about this judgment that makes gay sex a crime, and Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh's statement calling gay sex "unnatural" further infuriated the 61-year-old writer.

"Look into our history before you say this is Indian and this is not Indian. These people who claim to be Indian are most un-Indian. They don't have the Indian virtues of tolerance, they don't look at the Indian source of scriptures," he said.

"They will try to find a scapegoat so that they can run after the prey and what is their prey is votes. If there is blood, fine, as long as they can get votes. Shame on them...they are shame on Indian culture," he added.