India's gays celebrate too soon

The petitioners also maintained that the change in the law was likely to result in a rampant increase in homosexuality, arguing, “We have to look at our own scriptures to seek guidance from them and they are against such behavior in our society. If such abnormality is permitted, then tomorrow people might seek permission for having sex with animals.”

Until last week's judgment by the Delhi High Court, which followed eight years of delays and deferments as various judges passed the buck, homosexuals were liable to prosecution under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which prohibits "unnatural offences" or "carnal intercourse against the order of nature."