Indian News Details | DesPardes.com

JAN 12 - NEW DELHI - Gay activists held a rare and noisy protest in the Indian capital New Delhi demanding the release of four men arrested for homosexuality and running an online gay club, reported Reuters on Thursday.

About two dozen gay men and women and their supporters gathered outside the New Delhi guesthouse of the northern Uttar Pradesh state which ordered the arrest of the four last week.

The protesters from the largely closeted gay community waved banners and placards which read: �My sexuality, My right,� �Queer and Proud,� and �I am a man. I love a man. That�s my only crime�.

�The entire case is fabricated,� said Gautam Bhan, a gay rights activist. �None of the men were having public sex. They have been arrested simply because they are homosexual.�

Human Rights Watch wrote to Manmohan Singh after police in the northern city of Lucknow allegedly carried out a sting operation on gay men last week.

Police officers in Lucknow posed as gays on a website, entrapping one man and forcing him to call others who were then arrested.

It accused the police of "shameful" harassment. Police said those arrested had engaged in "unnatural acts".

Related stories:

Lesbianism In India

Where are the cowboys?

Lesbian marriages in India

Scott Long, director of Human Rights Watch's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Programme, said: "Lucknow police have a shameful record of harassing gay men as well as non-governmental organizations that work with them.

"They are able to do so because India's government clings to the criminalization of homosexual conduct, which only prevents people from coming forward for HIV/Aids testing, information and services."

The United Nations' Aids body, UNAids, also condemned the arrests.

Denis Broun, UNAids India coordinator, said: "Criminalization of people most at risk of HIV infection may increase stigma and discrimination, ultimately fuelling the Aids epidemic."

Lucknow police spokesman Ashutosh Pandey told Reuters those arrested had "established online internet links with gay groups outside the country too" and would not be released.

Homosexuality is illegal in India and can carry a 10-year sentence.

In 2004, the Indian government opposed a legal petition that sought to legalize homosexuality - a petition the high court in Delhi dismissed.

The government argued that the abolition of the law dealing with what it termed as "unnatural sex acts" could result in an increase in delinquent behavior.

Team India battles selection woes

JAN 12 - Sourav Ganguly batted first on the nets alongside Virender Sehwag on Thursday as India prepared for the first Test against Pakistan at Lahore.

This fuelled speculation that Ganguly will open the innings, and the formula ensures that Yuvraj Singh gets to play as well.

One problem that the Indian team management always faces prior to a Test match either in India or outside of India is team selection.

Dilemma over Sourav

But Rahul Dravid and Greg Chappell will face a different kind of dilemma � whether to include Sourav Ganguly in the playing XI or not.

Current form says that Yuvraj Singh should get the nod, sentiment says that it should be the Prince of Kolkata.

The statistics since March 1, 2004 don't seem to draw too much of a difference between the pair.

Yuvraj has played nine Tests while Sourav has played 14. Both have got a 100, although Ganguly's came against an under-strength Zimababwe side while Yuvraj's came in 2004 vs Pakistan in Lahore.

However cricket isn't always about the statistics, it's also about the substance.

Yuvraj in form

Yuvraj

Yuvraj has been self-assured and confident in the limited opportunities that he has had in test matches, even conquering his demons against the spinners.

Ganguly's fitness and fielding and age go against him, while Yuvraj is billed as player for the future.

However, in keeping with the horses for courses theory, Sourav's only chance of getting the nod for at least the Lahore test is that he brings in the option of an extra seamer.

His wicket taking abilities in domestic cricket certainly prove that he's not quite an all rounder but at least a handy option. (Source: NDTV)

Sex selection in India 'exaggerated'

JAN 11: The Indian Medical Association does not agree with the findings of a Canadian-led study that said 500,000 female fetuses were aborted every year in India over the past 20 years.

"This has not been happening for the past four or five years after strict laws were put in place," said Dr Narendra Saini, an association spokesperson.

The study also found 933 girls were born for every 1,000 male babies in 2001. However, groups fighting against sex selection agreed with the study's findings, saying many of India's fertility clinics continue to offer the service discreetly.

They said gender selection is a multibillion-dollar business that has gone underground.

Check it out >

Your Ad Here