Sir — This refers to the article, “Section 377 will not be repealed any time soon” (December 31) by Sandhya Jain. Just when those of us on the economic Right hail the BJP, we are let down by the party — in this case, its indefensible, retrograde position on the Section 377 judgement. Moreover, I am honestly surprised that The Pioneer — a beacon of intelligent Right-wing thought has chosen to showcase such an obscurantist line on the subject.
Ms Jain’s assertions are factually incorrect. Every study since the 1980s has shown that 80 per cent of all child sex abuse is heterosexual, and 70 per cent perpetrated by a family member. Anti-homosexuality laws do nothing to protect these victims. Similarly, heterosexual prostitution of underage girls is far more prevalent and dangerous.
To say that Section 377 protects children from “foreign predators” is shockingly xenophobic. Child molestation is rampant in India. The author needs walk to GB Road and check the ages of the girls working there. Conflating voluntary love between consenting adults with child rape/abuse is downright offensive and bigoted.
