Kolkata, Dec 30 (IANS) Activists, academicians and support groups working on different human rights issues will gather here on New Year’s Eve Wednesday to usher in an “integrated and inclusive” approach to activism in 2015.
A diverse gathering of artists, academicians, activists and support forums will gather outside the Academy of Fine Arts to “celebrate” even in the face of regressive laws like Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, said a release Tuesday.
The activists are concerned with women’s and child rights, rights of the disabled, youth affairs, queer rights, mental health and education issues.
The celebration from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. will see speeches and skits, a gender queer fashion show, a freeze mob to protest Section 377 and fusion music as well.
“They will also usher in what will hopefully catch on as an integrated and inclusive approach to activism around not just queer issues, but other human rights concerns as well – an approach based on greater mutual understanding, strategic collaboration and solidarity between different rights movements,” said the statement attributed to gender activist Pawan Dhall.
Section 377 was declared unconstitutional with respect to sex between consenting adults by the Delhi High Court July 2, 2009.
That judgment was overturned by the Supreme Court of India Dec 12, 2013 with the apex court holding that amending or repealing Section 377 should be a matter left to Parliament, not the judiciary.
