Homosexuality is not a crime as long as it does not affect others, says RSS

The RSS on Thursday said that homosexuality is not a crime as long as others are not affected by it and stressed on the right of the individual to have liberty in sexual choices.

On the first day of the India Today Conclave 2016 in New Delhi, RSS Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said, “Why should RSS have an opinion on homosexuality? It is not a crime as long as it does not affect the lives of others. Sexual preferences are personal issues."

“Sexual preferences are private and personal. Why should RSS express its views in a public forum? RSS has no view on that. It is for people to have their way. Personal preference of sex is not discussed in RSS and we don’t even want to discuss that,” he added.

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code criminalises homosexuality and carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in jail.