Lesbian couple's suicide year after decriminalisation of homosexuality shows intolerance still around in city
Lesbian couple's suicide year after decriminalisation of homosexuality shows intolerance still around in city
On the eve of the anniversary of decriminalisation of homosexuality in the country by the court, a disturbing piece of news has surfaced. Two lesbians committed suicide in Pimple-Saudagar recently, showing society is still far from accepting homosexuality in the 21st century.
Though the suicides took place on May 12, the case came out in the open only after an organisation that was counselling the couple revealed the incident to illustrate how there is still a need to talk about same-sex partners openly.
Seeta Potdar (38) and Samira Ranawade (29) (names changed) hanged themselves in their Pimple-Saudagar flat.
Suicide note
Potdar had married in 1995 and later divorced. She was living with Ranawade for the past 12 years. Though the suicide note did not mention anything about their relationship, it stated that they had achieved what they wanted in their lives.
According to counsellors at the Nari Samata Manch (NSM), the two women were under tremendous pressure and mental stress.
NSM has been working for the uplift of women and supports the new interpretation of Article 377. Till the court stepped in last year with its new interpretation, homosexual acts between consenting adults were a crime.
Sadhana Dadhich, president, NSM, said, "It is really sad that these women lost hope that they would be able to live together in our society and chose to take the extreme step. We are still not mentally prepared to accept gays with an open heart."
Counselling failed
Dr Vinay Kulkarni, medical director of NGO Prayas, confirmed the suicide pact case and admitted that they were unsuccessful in counselling the two women even after the ray of hope offered by the Delhi High Court's decriminalisation of homosexuality in Article 377 a year ago.
"It is true that there have been some cases in the past in which lesbian couples have ended their lives, but this case was quite shocking," said Kulkarni. "Both women were being harassed by their families and society. It indicates that we are still not accepting of such relationships."
But the investigating officer in the case ruled out the possibility of a lesbian relationship and said, "We did not find anything amiss during the course of our investigation."
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