New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is working with the Home Ministry to repeal Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that outlaws homosexuality.

"We have already held two meetings with the Ministry of Home about repealing the section," Additional Secretary and Director General of the National AIDS Control Organisation Sujatha Rao said on Tuesday at the end of a four-day conference on MSM (men who have sex with men) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in Asia and the Pacific.

The move comes days after some eminent persons, including author Vikram Seth, filmmaker Shyam Benegal and writer Arundhati Roy, wrote an open letter asking the Government to strike down the IPC section.

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, in a separate letter of support, described the law as a "monstrosity," saying it violated fundamental human rights.

Ms. Rao said there were 2.4 million MSM in India, of whom the Government was able to reach out to only six to eight per cent. Over five million HIV cases are reported in India. According to UNAIDS, at least 5-10 per cent of HIV infections worldwide are estimated to occur through sex between men.

PIL in High Court

A public interest litigation petition was also filed in the Delhi High Court to scrap the section. Though the petition filed by an NGO, Naz Foundation, was dismissed, the apex court on appeal has referred it back to the High Court for reconsideration. Ms. Rao said the task force, which was set up following the order, was holding dialogue on this matter. — PTI

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