The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) has taken a stand in favor of annulling Section 377 and welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court to review Sec 377 in the light of constitutional rights and the right to privacy
The ecumenical church body that is home for nearly 14 million people has issued an open letter arguing homosexuality should be decriminalized and it also urged the churches in India to consider the initiative of the apex court.
In its statement, NCCI's National Ecumenical Forum for Gender and Sexual Diversities pointed out the practice of homosexuality in India from ancient times, and until the British arrived, was never a criminal act.
It added that "as followers of the non-conformist Christ, the one who consistently questioned unjust and non-compassionate traditions of public morality, our call is to reject all laws that demonize, criminalize, and exclude human beings, and work to facilitate just inclusive and loving communities."
"The apex court has observed that a section of people cannot live in fear of the law which atrophies their right to choice and natural sexual inclinations," read the statement.
NCCI called upon all the churches in India to include and love all communities.
"As followers of the non-conformist Christ, the one who consistently questioned unjust and non-compassionate traditions of public morality, our call is to reject all laws that demonize, criminalize, and exclude human beings, and work to facilitate just inclusive and loving communities," it added.
