New health minister may bring fresh perspective on Sec 377:

Home Minister P Chidambaram indicated that there could be a change in the perspective of the Home Ministry on repealing Section 377 thereby legalising homosexuality in the country.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Law Minister Veerappa Moily and the Home Minister to discuss and debate on the issue and arrive at some consensus. The meeting of the ministers is being scheduled, Mr Chidambaram told media persons here.

Regarding the affidavit filed by the Home Ministry earlier in the Delhi High court opposing the repeal of the controversial provision, Mr Chidambaram said if the affidavit has been filed by the ministry then it would be the ministry’s stand.

‘However, a new government has come into power and a new minister has taken charge. They could always bring a new perspective to the entire issue even if the final outcome remains the same,’ Mr Chidambaram said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today parried a question in this regard.

Earlier, he had emphasised the need for wider consultation within Parliament and outside among the religious leaders, civil society members to arrive at a consensus on the issue.