In 2009, the Delhi High Court made a landmark judgment in which it decriminalized Section 377, much to the rejoice of the LGBTQ community in India. Explanation.-Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section. Unnatural offences.-whoever voluntarily has carnal inter¬course against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with 1, or with impris¬onment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. But in a country that is bombarded with stories of atrocities against women day in day out, do we really have the time or inclination to know and speak about the same thing happening to men? Or we’d better be without knowing?ģ77. He was wearing a kurta, with leggings: and that could have been probably a clear give-away.Ījay is probably one of those many men in the country, gay and otherwise, who face such harassment and gross injustice regularly. But if you ever try to be smart you will be looking at your family’s heads while we # you and then take your head.”Ījay alleges that he was also sexually harassed and by the same policemen in June while returning from an interview. Next time you can drink with us and do it without being drugged. You can’t run from us.” One of thugs pulled me to him lifted my face to his and asked “You liked it didn't you? You did have a good time, didn't you? I’m sure you enjoyed it. He continued “I've your aadhar number, your mobile number, your landline number and every other detail that is needed for us track you down.
‘Whatever was left of me died when those policemen and women molested me and stripped me of my faith, hope and spirit.’Ījay continues in his letter,”With tears in my eyes I looked up at him.
After some a while my head became heavy and I was feeling light’.Īnd then the two thugs and three policemen took away what little he had left of him leaving him with shame, humiliation and an urge to end his life. What more could he ask for? Ironical, since he asked for it in the first place.Ījay says in his letter, ‘During the drive the men vandalized me, groped me, touched me and laughed all the way, say disgusting things to me. They even dropped him home later that evening. And decent they were, because instead of raping him in the open, they took him to a cold room with a blaring television and a bed and savagely assaulted his honour. And thoughtful they were, because they said they’d use protection. And considerate they were, because they gave him a tablet that would numb his senses, before they did ‘the’ thing to him. Ajay says two of those who picked him up were police officers.Īnd courteous they were, because they picked him up from his home with the help of goons, a knife pointed at his back and also threatening to slit open his brother before him. Now, Ajay was allegedly raped, by the same men, and a few new faces. In June a police officer found out Ajay was gay, taunted and then molested him. All I've to do is submit the proof, book you under section 377 and arrest you.” You can chose to obey us or you can chose to go to jail where you will be raped for life by criminals. He said “Now there is nothing you can do but listen to us and do as we tell you. As I got dressed one of them told me that they have pictures and videos of me now. He writes, “When those men raped me there was nothing left of me anymore except pain, apathy, disgrace, disgust, guilt and humiliation beyond measure. Ajay does not want to file a police complaint as he is too scared. In a letter written to friends and activists on July 16, Ajay talks about how he was raped, that too allegedly by police officers. And then on July 14, he paid heavily for being himself, for not being ‘normal’, and mostly because he did not hide it properly, because others could recognize him as a gay man. Until three days ago Ajay was busy taking care of his hospitalized father.
He is dark-skinned, and chubby nothing striking about him, someone you’d probably not give a second look if you happened to walk past him. Currently unemployed, he lives with his parents and brother. Monalisa Das| The News Minute| July 17, 2014| 4.30 pm ISTĪjay is a 28-year-old Chennai based man.