🔹 IPC Section 377 – Unnatural Offences (LGBTQ+ Issues, Now Partially Decriminalized)
🔹Short Note (Hindi):
Pehle Section 377 kehta tha ki agar koi aadmi ya aurat “unnatural sexual act” kare (jaise same-sex relation ya animal ke saath relation), to wo crime maana jata tha.
Lekin 2018 me Supreme Court ne ye law change kar diya, aur consensual same-sex relation (jab dono adult ki marzi ho) ab crime nahi hai.
🔹Full Description (English + Hindi):
🔹 Meaning of Section 377:
Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was introduced in 1860 by the British government.
It said:
“Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment up to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.”
Yani simple language me —
Agar koi aadmi ya aurat kisi ke saath “unnatural way” se sexual relation kare (chahe same-sex ya animal ke saath), to usse unnatural offence maana jata tha.
🔹 Before 2018:
Pehle tak same-sex relation (LGBTQ+ couples) ko bhi illegal maana jata tha, chahe dono ki marzi se ho.
Is wajah se LGBTQ+ community ko discrimination, police harassment, aur social pressure ka samna karna padta tha.
🔹 After Supreme Court Judgment (2018):
On 6th September 2018, in the landmark case
Navtej Singh Johar vs. Union of India,
the Supreme Court of India declared that:
“Consensual sexual act between two adults (same sex or opposite sex) is not a crime under Section 377.”
Yani ab agar dono adult ki marzi ho, to same-sex relationship legal hai.
Lekin agar koi minor (under 18) ya animal ke saath act kare, to wo ab bhi crime rahega.
🔹Current Legal Position:
| Type of Act | Legal / Illegal | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| Consensual same-sex act between adults | ✅ Legal | No punishment |
| Non-consensual act (rape) | ❌ Illegal | Punishable under IPC 376 |
| Sexual act with a minor | ❌ Illegal | Punishable under POCSO Act |
| Sexual act with an animal | ❌ Illegal | Punishable under Section 377 |
🔹Explanation (Hindi):
India ne LGBTQ+ community ke rights ko respect karte hue 2018 me ek bada kadam uthaya.
Ab love aur relationship personal choice hai — chahe wo same-sex ho ya opposite-sex, kanoon me koi bhed-bhav nahi.
Lekin consent aur adulthood (18+ age) ab bhi zaruri hai.
🔹Example:
Rahul aur Arjun, dono adults hain aur ek dusre ke saath relationship me hain.
Pehle unka relation “illegal” maana jata tha under Section 377,
par ab wo legal hai jab tak wo dono ki marzi se ho aur kisi ko harm na ho.
🔹Punishment (Only for illegal acts):
- Imprisonment: Up to 10 years or life imprisonment
- Fine: As decided by the court
(Applicable only for non-consensual or animal-related acts)
🔹Related Sections:
- Sec. 375 / 376 – Rape and punishment
- Sec. 354 – Sexual harassment
- POCSO Act (2012) – Child sexual offences
- Article 21 (Fundamental Right to Life & Liberty) – Protects personal freedom
🔹Nyay Neeti Advice:
🔹Love is not a crime.
Har insaan ko apni identity aur relationship choose karne ka haq hai.
Agar aapko LGBTQ+ discrimination face karna pad raha hai, to:
📞 Call 1091 (Women helpline) or 1098 (Childline)
📞 Report harassment to cybercrime.gov.in
🌐 Contact NGOs like Naz Foundation, Humsafar Trust, etc.
🔹Nyay Neeti View:
India ne equality ki taraf ek bada kadam uthaya hai —
“Love is Love. Law can’t decide who you love.”
Ab samaj ko bhi same acceptance dene ki zarurat hai.
