RSS says homosexuality is 'psychological' problem

After calling sexual preferences a "personal" issue a day earlier, the RSS said on Friday that homosexuality was a "psychological" disorder.

RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale had said at the Indian Today conclave on Thursday night that the Hindu group had no public view to offer over the issue.

"Why should RSS have an opinion on homosexuality? Sexual preferences are personal and private issues. Why should RSS express its views in a public forum?" Hosabale had said.

He said that gay sex "is not a crime as long as it doesn't affect the lives of others".

Less than 24 hours, the senior Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh leader repeated his views on decriminalising the same-sex relationships but called gay sex "immoral" that needed psychological treatment.

"Homosexuality is not a crime, but socially immoral act in our society. No need to punish, but to be treated as a psychological case," Hosabale tweeted on Friday.

The same-sex views of the RSS, considered the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) ideological mentor, came after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's proposed legislation seeking to decriminalize homosexuality was defeated in the Lok Sabha at the introductory stage. BJP members took a lead role in defeating the bill.