A blow for dignity

Source– The post is based on the article “A blow for dignity” published in The Hindu on 21th September 2022.

Syllabus: GS2- Vulnerable sections

Relevance– About conversion therapy

News– The article explains the prevailing practice of conversion therapy in India and the legal framework to deal with this inhumane practice.

What are steps taken by various bodies to stop the practice of forceful conversion?

Recently Madras High Court in S. Sushma vs Commissioner of Police prohibited conversion therapy in Tamil Nadu.

The National Medical Commission directed all State Medical Commissions to ban conversion.

The Supreme Court in Navtej Singh Johar decriminalized homosexuality.

What is conversion therapy?

It is a range of dangerous practices that falsely claim to change a person’s sexual orientation.

It consists of diverse methods like counselling, correctional rape, shock therapy and electro-convulsion.

What are the limitations of the existing legal framework?

There is no express provision in Indian law restricting conversion therapy. Only civil liability can be attached to doctors, who practice conversion therapy.

Only forceful conversion is considered illegal. It continues to take place through other forms.

What is the way forward?

Our constitution promises dignity to every citizen. Practices like conversion therapy denies dignity to an individual.

There is a need for stringent and effective legislation that bans the practice of conversion therapy.

There is a need to put criminal liability on persons who indulge in this practice.

Our constitution promises dignity to every citizen. Practices like conversion therapy denies dignity to an individual.

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