A pastor from Tamil Nadu was arrested on Monday, 10 September, after he raised slogans in the Coimbatore district court against the Supreme Court's decision to decriminalise homosexuality under Section 377.
WHY WAS THE PASTOR ARRESTED?
The pastor, identified as P Felix Jebasingh associated with a Pentecostal Mission, was filmed raising slogans against the SC's verdict in the corridors of the Coimbatore district court.
Jebasingh said homosexuality was a big crime which would ruin society. In a bizarre claim, Jebasingh then said that Jesus had burnt down a city that had sheltered and advocated homosexuality.
"Jesus will return, and he will return soon", he cried out loud, adding that God would "descend to punish the wrong-doers."
According to local media reports, Jebasingh was taken away from the court premises after he was admonished by advocates, following which he was arrested by the local police for an inquiry.
WHAT DID THE SUPREME COURT SAY?
The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment, partially struck down the British-era law which criminalised consensual homosexual sex in India.
While reading his judgment on Section 377 of the IPC, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra noted, “I am what I am. So take me as I am. No one can escape from their individuality.”
Meanwhile, Section 377 will still apply to sex with animals and non-consensual sexual acts.
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