Indradhanu

Indradhanu is a social club at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.[3] The club aims to create a safe space for LGBT in the institute's campus.[4][5] The club has been involved in the decriminalisation of homosexuality in India.

Indradhanu
MottoCreate Safe Space for LGBT people on campus.
Founded23 January 2013[1][2]
Founded atIIT Delhi
TypeSocial Club
Location
  • IIT Delhi
Official language
Hindi, English, Hinglish
WebsiteIndradhanu

History

Kapil Rananaware, (an openly gay student at IIT Delhi) approached Dean of Students - SK Gupta, for formation of a LGBTQ support group within the campus, to which the Dean responded by replying "You’ve spoilt my day!". Kapil did eventually formed the support group "Indradhanu" and also found support from students at IIT Delhi.[2][6]

The support group started from 23 January 2013, by Kapil. Kapil used his representation in his course group to inform more students and soon developed into a club to create a safer space for students belonging to sexual minority groups.[7][2]

IITs has a long history of support to queer groups, and have been involved with many LGBT support groups in India.[8][5]

According to a survey conducted in IIT Delhi in 2015, around 72% of the respondents "believe homosexuality is as normal as heterosexuality".[9]

Involvement in Decriminalisation of Homosexuality in India

In May 2018, the club with support of Naz Foundation filed a petition to review Section 377. The petition was filed by a team of 20 IITians, the youngest of whom was an undergraduate student at IIT Delhi. In response of the petition, the Supreme Court agreed to review[10] after the central government declared that it would not oppose the petitions, and would leave the case "to the wisdom of the court".[11]

On 6 September 2018, the Court overruled an earlier decision from 2013, thereby decriminalising homosexuality in India.[12] After the verdict, the club gained an established recognition.[3]

  • Members of Indradhanu
  • Indradhanu at the IIT-Delhi Pride March
  • Members with posters

See also

References
  1. "Getting accepted - Time Out Delhi". Time Out Delhi. Archived from the original on 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  2. "Where the mind is without fear". Hindustan Times. 2013-09-08. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  3. "For LGBTQIA+ students, on-campus support groups provide a safe and secure space to be out and proud – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  4. Homegrown. "8 Schools And Colleges In India With In-Campus LGBTQ Support Groups". homegrown.co.in. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
  5. Basu, Sreeradha (2015-06-02). "How IITs, IIMs are lending a voice to LGBT issues". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  6. "How IIT Bombay's queer resource group Saathi is repping the LGBTQ experience". Elle India. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  7. "Indradhanu – IIT Delhi". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  8. "9 LGBT Support Groups In Schools & Colleges Across India". Youth Ki Awaaz. 2016-05-02. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  9. Oct 17, Shreya Roy Chowdhury | TNN | Updated; 2015; Ist, 13:13. "Gay is 'normal' for 72% in IIT-D | Delhi News – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2019-07-31.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. "SC Seeks Govt's Reply on IITians' Petition Scrapping Homosexuality". The Quint. 2018-05-14. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  11. "Decriminalising Gay Sex: Centre 'Leaves It to Wisdom of Supreme Court'". News18. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  12. "Historic India ruling legalises gay sex". 2018-09-06. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
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