First and foremost, there's been some sloppy reporting, and lots of sloppy blogging, on this issue: The "Delhi High Court" is not the Supreme Court of India. It's more like a state supreme court in the U.S. So the news that the DHC has essentially "pulled a Lawrence" and ruled that the country's barbaric (i.e., Victorian) criminalization of same-sex intercourse violated several core constitutional provisions:
The court concluded that the challenged provision, infringes the right to privacy guaranteed by Section 21 of India's Constitution as well as Section 14 (equality before the law) and 15 (discrimination on the basis of sex) of the Indian Constitution.
So this is clearly an "end of the beginning" situation rather than a "beginning of the end" (not even the U.S. can claim that status).
Meanwhile, let's not lose sight of how this landmark (if local) decision is serving to unite and inspire the entire nation of India — in religiously commanded hatred and bigotry:
"This Western culture cannot be permitted in our country," said Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali, a leading Muslim cleric in the northern city of Lucknow.
…
Religious leaders in the capital and in other parts of India argued that gay sex should remain illegal and that open homosexuality is out of step with India's deeply held traditions."We are totally against such a practice as it is not our tradition or culture," said Puroshattam Narain Singh, an official of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, or World Hindu Council.
In New Delhi, Rev. Babu Joseph, a spokesman of the Roman Catholic Church, told New Delhi Television that while homosexuals should not be treated as criminals, "at the same time we cannot afford to endorse homosexual behavior as normal and socially acceptable."
Progress? That's a relative concept.
"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ."
–Mohandas Gandhi
The case is Naz Foundation v. Government of NCT of Delhi (PDF – 105 pages).
Previously:
–Global Christians Race to the Bottom on Gay Bigotry
–Naked Bigotry Update: Pope Urges Anglicans to Reject Gays