Anbumani Ramadoss



Recently Anbumani Ramadoss has commented that it is about time India recognised its gay population. Responding on the grim reality of AIDS in India, he has emphatically spoke in favour of scrapping Section 377 of Indian Penal Code that effectively makes alternative sexuality a crime, and also sympathised with homosexual men and transgender community. Coming from the Union Minister for Health, such words attain immense significance.

Previously Anbumani Ramadoss succeeded in almost eradicating onscreen smoking. His strong verbal attacks on leading actors smoking on screen (and off screen as well) made him unpopular among fans but fearing negative publicity many switched to chewing gums, at least on screen. Several studies and surveys have proven the fact that smoking on screen by celebrated actors inspires the youth to take up to smoking and also gives smoking a respectable varnish To the extent that in the 30s and 40s leading Hollywood stars such as John Wayne were on the payrolls of tobacco companies for smoking their particular brand on screen. Widespread anti-tobacco campaigns in the US in the 70s almost put a stop to this practice and today in Hollywood the smokers are depicted as either bad guys or emotionally disturbed characters. Anbumani Ramadoss did to Indian cinema and youth what Hollywood began to practice decades ago. It is difficult to tell just how much our Health Minister's initiatives helped society due to absence of verifiable statistic methodologies with us.

Today, his support for legalising alternate sexuality has shaken up the courts and the power centres in Delhi. Media houses are busy churning out debates and essays on the topic and the Attorney General has reluctantly dissuaded court against it and, in order to appear both culturally and intellectually right, he passed the responsibility stating repealing Section 377 should be the discretion of the courts.

The figures are staggering and one indicates that there are around 3.7 million gay people in India. That's about a million less than the population of Singapore. Those among them who are infected with HIV may not even know that because a health worker counselling or doctor treating a gay could be arrested under Section 377. Socially ostracised and legally sent underground, the homosexual community's trauma is simply worsened with the threat of HIV infection. How much impact it negatively causes society is dangerously unknown.

Talking about homosexuality itself is taboo in India and talking in favour of it far worse. A Union Health Minister doing so may have serious electoral consequences for the party he belongs to. The open support by Anbumani in strong terms despite all that must be highly lauded and appreciated. His statement may not help repealing section 377 immediately. But the debate has been commenced and this would help melt the taboo hopefully soon make India come out of the heterosexual closet.