SECTION 377

SECTION 377

Ritesh was waiting for Shraddha's call. She had to go in a party where she was invited but the venue was outside the city, so she wanted Ritesh to accompany her. To pass the time he switched on the TV and went to news channels to get the latest updates on either of the two hot discussions, if Arvind Kejriwal is all set to form a government in Delhi and the status of the protest against the latest verdict of the Supreme Court on the constitutional validity of the Section 377 of INDIAN PENAL CODE (IPC).

Any news channels had no update on Kejriwal's move but all of them had a live debate on LGBT, Section 377 etc. Ritesh's father joined him in living room. He went restless with an impression that his young son is taking much of interest on topic of homosexuality. Just to check his orientation, he tossed a question to Ritesh.

What do you think? Is Arvind Kejriwal a gay? why doesn't he make a government in Delhi?

Oh come on dad! What is the relation among two? If someone is taking his time to make a very big decision, it does not make him a gay or whatever. And even if he is a gay, then how does it matter? The voters of Delhi have already made him a winner, so let a gay be a Chief Minister of Delhi this time.

Ritesh's reply made his father worried on his sexual orientation. In order to confirm he asked him

Are you not getting late? I think you are going somewhere. Instead of going there, why are you wasting your time on such a useless news on television?

Yes I am. I am waiting for Shraddha. We have to go in a party, a little far from this place so we are going together.

Shraddha! Is she your girlfriend?

Why are you asking such questions dad?

Ritesh's mother was listening to their conversation. She intervened and replied before his father does,

What is wrong with this question? Can't you have a girlfriend? After all you are a normal young boy. Aren't you?

Ofcourse mom. But she is not my girlfriend but a classmate. In fact I dont have any girlfriend. Now stop making such questions and let me watch TV. I am just off on mood. Shraddha is also late and you have a set of annoying interrogation.

On his reply, his parents went doubtful. Ritesh kept staring on TV where only news flash was on LGBT, Homosexuality and Section 377.

Suddenly, Ritesh called his mother and pointed his finger towards a beautiful girl who was protesting in the TV against the ruling of the Supreme Court on constitutional validity of Section 377. Ritesh told his mother,

Mom, look at this girl. She is so charming, beautiful and bold. She may be the girl who could be my girlfriend.

Ritesh's reaction on a good looking girl made his parents a little relaxed. His mother said,

But son, she is protesting for LGBT. I don't think she is normal.

That is not fair mom. I, too, think she is from LGBT community. But she is a girl mom. Don't categorize her as an abnormal. Anyways, she is the girl of my choice. If you find such a beautiful girl then let me know. I would consider her to be my girl.

Ritesh's parents were looking for such a reply from him. They took a big sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Shraddha came and they went to party.

On the terrace of Shraddha's friend dozens of young lads and gals were tapping feet on song Chikni Chameli...Chikni chmeli. They invited both of them to join and Shraddha was immedietely seen on dance floor but Ritesh took a corner where he got a catch hold of a sexy damsel. She very much resembled the girl on television he saw some minute back at his home. Oh my god. She was the same girl.

Everybody was dancing on the dance floor including Shraddha but ritesh was sitting and sipping coffee. His heart started beating fast, furiously fast. He liked the girl very much on television itself and here she was dancing before him. He knew she was not straight but he wanted to talk her then and there. But he could not dare to talk to her.

He could not remove his eyes from the stunning and gorgeous lady with face full of shine due to moisture. Suddenly, he felt caught whe the girls eyes also got fixed on him with wondered look. Shraddha broke his chain of thought by introducing him to the same girl...

Ritesh! Meet my friend, Tanu. ( Ritesh felt nice to know her name and felt closer to her).

Ritesh : (lost in his own thoughts) Hmmm...hi.

Shraddha told : I know, I know, it is not only you. Tanu is too attractive to lose someone's attention but please behave. Talk to her rather staring like a fool...(Shraddha giggled and Ritesh felt embarrassed).

Ritesh : (composing himself) Are you the one who was protesting against the latest ruling of the Supreme Court on Section 377 of IPC in CITY Center?

Tanu : Oh yes, I was there with many others. Were you also there? Where did you see me?

Ritesh : No! Actually, I saw you on a news channel. Hey, If you pardon my frankness, can I ask you something?

Tanu : Yes please.

Ritesh : Are you not straight?

Everyone including Tanu burst into laughing. Tanu controlled her laughter and replied.

Why do you think so? Just because you saw me protesting the ruling of Supreme Court? It is not always the reality what you see my friend. Truth is different. And for your kind information, I am straight. You can try your luck on me.

Shraddha tapped Ritesh's shoulders and said

Ritesh, my friend you are very lucky. Tanu hardly offers her company to any boy. Just for your info, she is a social activist and loves standing up for public issues.

Ritesh : But being a straight, why did she support the protest of LGBT? After all it is not concerned to us.

Tanu : Do you remeber what I have told you two minute back? It is not always the reality what you see. I understand, everyone wants to ignore this issue as it is none of our business. Even our policymakers and members of legal fraternity do not get themselves directly associated with this problem. They have just made a rule without realising the fact that it has got a direct impact on personal choices and the way of love making. There is nothing to make much of buzz on this. And if at all, they have to make it an issue then anyone can be prosecuted and punished under Section 377 of IPC.

Ritesh : Why so? Why a straight one may be prosecuted and punished under Section 377? We are not from LGBT community.

Tanu : Wait, I explain you.

How do you differentiate a member of LGBT community is susceptible under this section? Let me tell you that Section 377 criminalizes and punishes all those sexual activities which are against the order of the nature. And according to the order of nature only the sexual activities which causes the birth of a child is a necessity. Science has proved that the human being is the only creature of the god who indulges into sexual activity for fun and not always for a child birth. Otherwise, there will not be any difference between a man and an animal.

Ritesh : ( A little annoyed) You mean to say that we all should participate in this protest with you to prove that Supreme Court has committed a mistake and Section 377 of IPC is unconstitutional?

Tanu : I don't say so. Even Supreme Court does not say like what you have interpreted. Technically speaking, Section 377 of INDIAN PENAL CODE penalizes carnal intercourse against the order of nature. Before this latest verdict of the apex court, all those who did the sexual intercourse with children or animal or an intercourse of a man with a woman, against the order of nature could have not been prosecuted and punished, because this section was defunct by the ruling of DELHI HIGH COURT.

Ritesh : ( With a surprised look) If this the reality then the members of LGBT community only do protest against the latest verdict of Supreme Court? Why are they being targeted by so called torch bearer of HINDUISM? Why are heterosexuals not raising their voices against the ruling of apex court?

Tanu : Because it is not always the reality what you see. Everyone believes that members of LGBT community are criminals so they don't bother to study deep into Section 377 IPC. On the contrary, Section 377, penalizes everyone who performs sexual intercourse against the order of the nature. And I have already told you what is allowed in the name of order of nature.

So, Mr. Ritesh, do I justify my participation into such protest?

Ritesh : (Excitedly) Definitely yes. Not only you justified it but encouraged me also to accompany you.

Tanu : Ok, that is fine. But before that I would also like to clarify a suspicion as I always believe in ' what we see is not always the reality"

Are you boyfriend to Shraddha?

Ritesh : Oh no, she is my friend. Actually, I don't have any girlfriend.

Tanu : Then change your status from now onwards. You have no idea that your staring eyes are killing me for last half an hour. Will you be my man?

Ritesh jumped in the air and hugged Tanu then and there. Everyone else clapped for them.