Congress hopes RSS is firm on its stand on homosexuality

New Delhi : Congress leader Manish Tewari on Friday taunted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) over Dattatreya Hosabale's remark on homosexuality and said that the Hindu nationalist organisation must now not retract from its assertions on the same.

Tewari told ANI here that one should not unnecessarily interfere in anyone's personal life in the 21st century.

"In the day and age in which we live, Section 377 and its repeal should really become a fait accompli. We don't live in 17th or 18th century that we need to be subjected to Victorian era laws. The fact is as to who has a relationship with whom for what purpose the state really should not be interfering or transgressing into those matters," said Tewari.

"If at all the RSS does chose to add its voice to the overwhelming pervasive opinion in this country with regard to 377 then one would expect that having articulated a opposition they should not go back on this." he added.

Hosabale, who was speaking at the India Today Conclave yesterday in reply to a question on whether homosexuality should remain a criminal offence under Article 377 IPC, said sexual preferences are a personal matter and the organisation doesn't hold any view on it.

"I don't think homosexuality should be considered a criminal offence as long as it does not affect the lives of others in society," he said.