Article 377 may be repealed

The Centre is likely to repeal a controversial section of the penal law which criminalises homosexuality. The two key Ministries – Home and Health – have held diverse views on it, but the new UPA government is set to take a decision soon on resolving the issue.

A meeting of the Home, Law and Health Ministries will be convened soon for thrashing out differences on repealing Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, official sources indicated on Saturday.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Law Minister Veerappa Moily and Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad are likely to discuss the controversial section which bans sexual relationships among people of the same gender.

While Mr. Chidambaram and Mr. Moily are said to be in favour of repealing the provision, the views of Mr. Azad are still not known.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wanted the Home and the Health Ministries to resolve their differences.