Homosexuality - Unnatural but not Unlawful !

When Supreme Court of India announced that Article 377 which criminalizes all homosexual activities would be reinstated, my first doubt was how Supreme Court or law machinery could get to know who committed the 'crime' unless somebody peeked into bedrooms of gay couples !

Ìndia is torn between two opposite arguments for and against homosexuality. The progressive society believes that being gay is a personal choice which is endorsed by many liberal thinkers. I beg to differ. Homosexuality is not a 'choice'; nobody chooses to be naturally hetero or homosexual. They are just made that way.

I may be judged to be regressive for saying this but I believe homosexuality is against the nature though I'm all for LGBT rights and against discrimination. Man and woman are made with different body structures, genitals, reproductive systems. They are made to get attracted to each other, make love, give birth to children, continue legacy and humanity in the world. That`s nature and nobody can argue or refute it, no matter how vocal supporters of LGBT rights they are.

But not everybody in the world is made alike. Some people are mentally, biologically made in a way that they are attracted to the same sex and they can`t overturn it. It`s not their mistake; it`s not a disease either to be cured. It`s just abnormal. Some people are made to get attracted only to animals. That`s not a disease either. Just not mainstream, that`s it. But just because they are not mainstream, they don't deserve discrimination and social outcast.

During my school and college days, 'hijra', 'kojja', 'point five' were abuses which meant weak, impotent. These words attracted immediate retaliation and repulsion. That`s how the society was (and still is). This is the very reason gays were more closeted until the dawn of new millennium. Open debates, revolution for rights became more visible in the recent past. Literary works, 'Dostana' type bollywood movies, success of gays in fashion industry and open declaration by many celebrities suddenly created ripples and affected the inertia in the society. This attracted a large repulsion from the more conservative circles of the country, which was not necessary.

As mentioned earlier, I personally am against any kind of discrimination against gays because they are minorities in terms of sexual orientation. Society is made of different kinds of people belonging to different religions, castes, creed, physicality. Minorities in every way deserve and should be provided equality as per Indian constitution. But the latest supreme court ruling against homosexuality was a big contradiction or blunder, if I could say so. If you check those prominent people who supported latest Supreme Court ruling , they are Baba Ramdev, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Church groups. What a unity in diversity !

Two countries I represent, India and Canada are poles apart in acceptance of gay and homosexuality but the more intriguing fact is that Britishers passed almost same law in both countries in mid 1800`s. In mid 1900's, Canada legalized same sex marriages and is forerunner in LGBT rights to the extent laws against any kind of discrimination, laws favoring surrogate pregnancy for lesbians etc were passed. When we visited Montreal in first few months after immigrating to Canada, I was a bit surprised to see gay villages, gay stores, gay friendly restaurants where two gays romantically enjoying their candle light dinner, gays kissing for photoshoot after wedding. Initially it was a bit of culture shock for me, but I couldn't resist appreciating the society for providing them the environment to live their lives happily. Afterall they are just being themselves without harming or hurting anybody else. So why should anybody else be worried ? So if Canada could break shackles of regressive British laws, why can't India ?

I saw many internet forums and twitter where homophobic Indians claim that homosexuality is against Indian culture. Whoa ! They should first visit Khajuraho temples where purportedly graphic statues representing gay and animal sex were prominently displayed. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of Art of Living mentioned that Lord Ayyappa was born to Hari and Hara (meaning Vishnu and Shiva). Rigveda also infers homosexuality to certain extent. So its not culture or religion. It`s purely mindset which is bent to repel anybody who are different to them.

If the court believes that homosexuality may create social issues, doesn't rape do so? And we see the number of rape related incidents occurring on a daily basis. Homo or hetero, any non consensual forceful act should be considered a crime and justice should be delivered. Its none of court's or law enforcement's business to peek into private lives (which they can anyway not do). It`s time judges and courts put their personal preferences and penal code laws separately. It`s also time for general public to stop stereotyping or typecasting gays because they are just living their life without imposing themselves or their lifestyle on you. As long as homosexuality is not compulsory, why do you worry ?

Arvind Kejriwal - A Case Study on Leadership & Management

Arvind Kejriwal is dubbed as a giant killer who turned from zero to hero in just 2 years, which is undeniable considering his spectacular entry on to the electoral politics arena. He captured senses of intelligentsia and masses alike because he executed what hordes of armchair philosophers could just preach. Beyond his political maneuvering lies his excellent embodiment of two often confused behavioral traits - Leadership & Management.

Since independence, India has been looted by political parties infested with corruption, vote-bank politics, communalism, nepotism, regionalism. People were aware of this but came to terms that they had no alternative. But there was always a simmering anger under the carpet which was tapped and fanned by the Team Anna movement a couple of years back. Anna Hazare was not a rookie in anti-establishment agitation. He had a long history of crusades but was reduced to Ralegan Siddhi and some pockets here and there. He didn't have a national image. A man called Arvind Kejriwal identified the vacuum and catapulted a nation wide movement through Anna's name and fame.

Kejriwal was not the first person to act against corruption. Loksatta's JP Narayan shared similar principles, but he proved to be elitist and philosopher who could only talk. He didn't involve people or instill combative spirit like Kejriwal did. JP was a dreamer, strategist and a bureaucrat, but there is a catch. He's not a LEADER. Leader is somebody who leads from front, who motivates, directs, guides people who trust him. Leader sets an example, shows path, is accessible, is a sharp communicator, a problem solver, a trouble shooter, a negotiator, a decision maker, a time manager, a team player and is flexible. Leader is Arvind Kejriwal.

Some leaders have charisma; they can trigger mass hysteria with their voice, mannerisms, votebank identity, gestures, dramatics or mere presence. Indira Gandhi, NTR, MGR, Salahuddin Owaisi, Modi and to some extent Laloo and Mulayam fall under that category. Kejriwal lacks that charisma or political glamor. Neither does anybody care about his caste or community. But he balanced that lack of charisma with another trait - managerial skills

While his leadership skills were at display during his struggle for RTI act, anti-corruption crusade, his managerial skills were evident in the way he carried Team Anna campaign and his AAP electoral campaigns.
It's debatable if Anna needed Kejriwal or vice-versa because the Team Anna movement became a household name only through Kejriwal`s brainchilds like viral campaigns, social media awareness, streetside acts which`d put the best of marketing minds to shame.

Kejriwal did right thing at right time under right conditions. He got things done by many external and internal factors. That was management.

When he started Aam Aadmi Party, he clearly knew there was an anti-congress wave and made sure another rival BJP doesn't grab the cake. Hence he deliberately started attacking BJP over corruption and communalism despite the latter not being in power either at center nor at Delhi where he was going to contest. But his ploy was to paint Congress and BJP in the same color so that he could take advantage of the anti-congress wave. And that ploy worked in his favor.

Kejriwal is an astute orator and a shrewd thinker. He has answer for every question or criticism he faces. His speeches and interviews brim of moral supremacy but he knew how to play political cards well. He carefully dubbed BJP as a hardliner communal party but chose not to say a word against MIM, Akali Dal, SP, BSP or many other religion or caste based parties. He even took the support of rabblerouser Muslim cleric who announced bounty on somebody`s head. He clearly knew who his target was. That was management.

He played fairly well with media too. Media chose to highlight AAP`s splendid performance over the majority grabber BJP. Arvind is being eulogized left, right and centre though he failed to recreate the magic of NTR or Prafulla Mahanta who rose to power in few months of setting up a party. But antipathy of certain sections of media against right wing politics or BJP and public anti incumbency wave against congress was aptly utilized by AAP and Arvind Kejriwal.

Leadership is a quality which influences and motivates others to follow ones path whereas management is an act which gets things done by others. Arvind Kejriwal balanced both with clinical precision and the rest is history.

Things fell in place for AAP till now because the party is exempt from any expectations or results. They had nothing to lose or prove till now. The real game begins now. Lok Sabha elections is a different ballgame. Team Anna was at pinnacle in 2011 when Anna was hailed as the most powerful Indian then but the movement lost its relevance the following year. Ramleela Maidan and Jantar Mantar of Delhi swayed to the movement, but Mumbai protest was a grave disappointment. History may repeat with AAP. It is to be seen if Arvind Kejriwal is a consistent and a long run leader and manager or not. Time answers.