Such attitude poses great danger to fabric of nation: Madras High Court on NCERT retraction of LGBTQIA+ sensitisation plan

The Madras High Court on Monday stated that no one can be allowed to arm twist a State-run council after the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) withdrew an LGBTQIA+ sensitisation action plan from its website due to external pressure..The NCERT had come up with this action plan pursuant to the order passed by Justice N Anand Venkatesh on October 4 this year..The Court observed that this was a very vital step, since a teacher acts as the bridge between parents and their children. It was also stated that ignorant parents can only be sensitised by teachers.“Sensitisation has to start from schools and the home, and without family support, children belonging to this Community will never be able to get support elsewhere.”.Therefore, the Court found the retraction of the action plan within a few hours of its publication on the official website shocking. It was also brought to attention that the persons who developed the materials were transferred out of their departments.“This Court is unable to understand the need for such a knee jerk reaction within hours of the material getting uploaded on the website.”.Justice Venkatesh stressed that if someone faced grievances, they should have addressed the same in a proper manner through consultations and meetings rather than having the material forcibly taken down.“It is quite unfortunate that such an important development was nipped in the bud. This development only reminds this Court that a continuous follow-up is required to bring in changes in the prevailing education system.”.Therefore, stating that an expert body’s report cannot be dumped simply because a handful of people were opposed to the idea of recognising people belonging to the LGBTQ+ community, a recommendation was sought from the NCERT based on the report..The judge emphasised that in a democracy such as India’s, discussions and consultations must form the basis for policy decisions and pressure tactics should not be allowed have an impact.“If such an attitude is encouraged, it poses a greater danger to the fabric of this nation.”.Justice Venkatesh, thus, asked NCERT to submit a report on the issue December 23..The order was passed in a case that began with a plea by a lesbian couple seeking protection from their relatives. Over the course of hearing the matter, the Court had issued several directions in an effort to further the welfare of LGBTQIA+ persons..[Read Order]