Gay community and Mahatma Gandhi

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Permalink Reply by Balamurali Balaji on July 14, 2009 at 6:45am

Dear Dipak,

Gandhi had never communicated any message on Gay activism or Gay community. As for as I know, he had left us with a lot of messages on hetero-sexuality like man-woman relationship including prostitution, husband-wife relationships and the need for women rights . Gay relationships started existing in Indian subcontinent later in the second half of the 20th century, to be specific, only after India attained freedom. Since then, it was just a hobbyist activity even in the wester worlds. Currently, the increasing number of Gay activism means that the society is undergoing a lot of pressure, depression, stress and psychic approach of dealing with the problems and issues. Also it is symbolizing the state of liberty the people want to be.

Last week, we came to know that the Government of India has been put on charge for deciding the fate of imposing Article 377a that would pave a way for the legality of Gay relationships. The Supreme Court patiently listening to the government's moves and is expecting a corrective measure even if the Delhi High Court went wrongly.
It has been up to the specific channels' views that has been interpreted as Gandhi's. I could see it only as commercialization and indirect propaganda from the part of the channel.

We need to wait and see.

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Permalink Reply by Dipak Dholakia on July 14, 2009 at 11:50am

I think your interpretation is correct. The channel said that Mahatma Gandhi understood this problem and wanted people to look at scientifically or understand the psychological reasons. it said not exectly in this words but meaning thereby that Gandhi waas willing to tolerate it and understood it. As I have said, I do not have anything to check the facts. Anyway, Gandhi has become a loose hat any body can wear. Right from the most orthodox and revisionists and revivalists to the radical politicians, social reformers and freaks.But let us wait for some more people to join the discussion.

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Permalink Reply by Aunty Kamala on July 15, 2009 at 7:19pm

Gandhi did in fact address homosexuality once in my findings. According to my notes this was in Harijan: March 28, 1936, when he was 66 years of age.
"It is dinned into one's ears that the gratification of the sex urge is a solemn obligation like the obligation of discharging debts lawfully incurred, and that not to do so would involve the penalty of intellectual decay. This sex urge has been isolated from the desire for progeny, and it is said by the protagonist of the use of contraceptives that the conception is an accident to be prevented except when the parties desire to have children. I venture to suggest that this is a most dangerous doctrine to preach anywhere...if it somehow or other gains the stamp of respectability, it will be the rage amongst boys and girls to satisfy their urge among members of their own sex...."
Vinoba Bhave later said:
"What does science say? Should we sow a seed, but so arrange that it may not sprout? Suppose a farmer is sowing seeds in teh hot weather. We ask him why he is sowing seeds in the summer? He says: 'Because I don't want them to grow, so I sow them in the hot weather.' If even one seed is wasted, this famer is a great idiot, so who are they who waste this exceedingly precious seed in the form of the sperm from which a man may be born? What a great sinner is he, who destroys this embryonic man!" from: Women's Power. Published by Sarva Seva Sangh Prakashan, Rajghat, Varanasi c. 2002 pg. 8.

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Permalink Reply by Balamurali Balaji on July 16, 2009 at 7:38am

As you noted,

I venture to suggest that this is a most dangerous doctrine to preach anywhere......Harijan(1936).

Those were the times, that homo-sexuality was not seen as a social issue or requirement, rather only among the teenagers(boys and girls) due to their adoloscent nature. The sexual urge amongst the boys and girls were under scrutiny.

Needless to mention that Vinoba Bhave's comment on wasting a seed, otherwise could have given life to a birth seemed to be over-whelmed and extra-futuristic.He did neither actually meant Gay orientation.

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Permalink Reply by Dipak Dholakia on July 17, 2009 at 5:03pm

Thank you very much. In fact, this is for the first time that I have thought of Gandhi in the context of homo-sexuality. Actually, there has been over-reaction to the Delhi High Court judgement from both, anti- and pro- groups. The question that was determined by the Court was about criminality of the same sex relationship and nothing more.

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Permalink Reply by Dipak Dholakia on July 17, 2009 at 4:55pm

Thank you very much. Your quotes and references do show that Gandhi was aware of the consequences of separating the sexual urge from the desire for progeny which may encourage people for same sex relationship. I, however, am not convinced that he endorsed it too. And the Gandhi quote seems to treat this relationship as unacceptable. However, the channel gave the impression that Gandhi endorsed it. I will, however, not be surprised if he actually did so, simply because HE IS an unfathomable personality.

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Permalink Reply by viduur on July 17, 2009 at 7:17pm

I have not read everything written by Gandhi but I am very certain Gandhi may have been the last person to support Gay activism. Gandhi was for pro-nature and Homosexuality was one of the most unnatural form of sex. Although he would have called homosexuality as a desease and not a crime.

Aunty Kamla has appropriately quoted from Harijan, and the following sentence is sums up Gandhian views on the issue of Homosexuality very well -

"I venture to suggest that this is a most dangerous doctrine to preach anywhere...if it somehow or other gains the stamp of respectability, it will be the rage amongst boys and girls to satisfy their urge among members of their own sex...."

As far as TV chanels or Gay activists are concerned, they are least concerned for the values for Gandhi has sacificed his life. They are interested in using everything ( incl Gandhi) to purse their immoral & unnatural pleasures, even if these are most detrimental to the interests of human society.No one can eally debate with them bcoz they are mentally sick people.

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Permalink Reply by Balamurali Balaji on July 18, 2009 at 3:50pm

I agree with your views on TV Channels and Gay activists in the last paragraph. But, seeking support for Homosexuality on Gandhian perspectives is as dangerous as the disease (or crime) itself.

It is better not to pull Gandhi into this issue and go with the current laws. As Viduurji pointed, todays world is interested in using everything to purse their immoral & unnatural pleasures.... they are least concerned for the values for Gandhi has sacificed his life

Preaching Homo-Sexuality is the concern.

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