Within a day, family gets six responses for their ‘Iyer preferred’ advertisement
Harish Iyer during a gay pride march (Photo Credit: Twitter)
Mumbai: The first matrimonial advertisement soliciting a groom for gay rights activist Harrish Iyer has received an overwhelming response from various quarters. Mr Iyer’s Facebook page received comments commending him and even insisting that they should be invited for his wedding.
He said that he has so far received six responses to the advertisement, which he said was the first published gay matrimonial in India’s matrimonial pages. However, legal experts maintained that such a move is illegal according to the law of the land and can attract legal action. Padma Iyer, mother of Harrish had placed a matrimonial advertisement in a city tabloid which read “Seeking 25-40, well placed, animal loving, vegetarian groom for my son 36, 5 11’ who works with an NGO caste no bar (though Iyer preferred)”.
The advertisement also received its fair share of flak for being castiest because it said ‘Iyer preferred’. However, the activist responded on Twitter saying, “That was not discriminatory tho. :) that’s more like knowing someone from a familiar territory.”
Former IPS officer and advocate Y.P. Singh said, “The Supreme Court declared gay sex as unlawful and hence gay marriage in India is also unlawful. If somebody gives an advertisement seeking a gay partner to get married in India than it would amount to abetment to unnatural sex.” He said that in the current scenario the police could register a case of abetment against the person who has placed the advertisement.
In 2013, the Supreme Court had re-criminalised homosexuality by overturning a lower court order in a major setback the gay rights movement in India. When asked whether the media house that carried the advertisement would also be liable for abetment, advocate Mubin Solkar said, “If the advertisement was published like any other ads and was not intended to invite people towards committing any offence, then the media house is not liable for action.”
The ad triggered a heated debate in social media with gay and lesbian activists supporting the move of Padma Iyer while others slammed the same-sex marriage concept saying homosexuality is illegal in India.
When asked about the sensation it created, 36-year-old Harrish, “I am not bothered about the consequences, such as whether it is legal or illegal in our country. But I believe in my right to choose the partner of my choice.” He praised his mother saying, “I’m proud of her. It was her idea. My mum was like: “You don't have a boyfriend, you're not so young.” She was concerned about her ageing son like any Indian mum would be.”
( Source : dc/ agency )
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