Modern India Catching up With Ancient India: Devdutt on SC Verdict

Pattanaik said that ancient Indian wisdom is about how you accommodate people who are different from you.

“I see more love coming back into the society,” said author and expert on homosexuality in ancient India, Devdutt Pattanaik in conversation about Section 377.

(Photo Courtesy: Devdutt Pattanaik/Facebook)

"I see more love coming back into the society," said author and expert on homosexuality in ancient India, Devdutt Pattanaik, in conversation about decriminalisation of homosexuality with The Quint.

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday, 6 September, read down section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), thereby decriminalising consensual homosexual sex.

On being asked by The Quint about what he thinks will be the consequence of SC's verdict, Pattanaik said:

I think for many people it will be life as usual. But for many people it will be acceptance at state level. And you can talk to your families. Corporations will hopefully change their laws. You’ll be able to openly come out as gay. And you will not get into forced marriages where you ruin not just one life, but lives of two people. You know imagine a gay person marrying a non gay person. That’s just not right. It ruins young people’s lives.

Devdutt Pattanaik, author and mythologist.

Pattanaik also told The Quint that ancient Indian wisdom is about how you accommodate people who are different from you in your life with love.

Speaking about legal acceptance of homosexuality, he also said:

I think the most important thing is you’ll be living your life on your own terms, being honest and truthful. In families there will be more acceptance.

Devdutt Pattanaik