A positive step towards ending impractical approach by a minuscule number of health professionals, experts said
Dr Santosh Kadam, President of Indian Medical Association (IMA) Thane
Lauding the initiative of the expert committee formed by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the academician associated with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), sexologist, psychiatrist and counsellors said that the judgment delivered by the Hon’ble Madras High Court is indeed very progressive for the queer community.
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A high-power committee, in its submissions to the Madras High Court, had submitted that Conversion Therapy (changing the sexual orientation of a person to heterosexual), will be construed as unethical and professional misconduct on the part of health professionals, under chapter 6 and 7 respectively of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulation, 2002.
Need for legislation
“It is a matter of record that Hon’ble Madras High Court in a judgment delivered by it in June 2021, has banned the practice of “Conversion Therapy” in India and thereby bringing protective measures for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender individuals in the country. The unfortunate practices like conversion therapy not only add to the social stigma but also go a long way in compounding preconceptions of discrimination. Implementation of such therapies is a brazen violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed to a citizen by the Constitution of India,” said Dr Vedprakash Mishra, Special Advisor, National Indian Medical Association, New Delhi, Dean, Academic and Accreditation Board, National Indian Medical Association, New Delhi.
“The judgment that has been delivered by the Hon’ble Madras High Court is indeed a very progressive judgment for the queer community. However, it needs anti-conversion therapy legislation by the Parliament. This would protect the privacy and dignity of the queer community. Legislation prohibiting conversion therapy is the real answer to this grave problem and a decisive step towards upholding the accruable fundamental rights extended by the Constitution, to the LGBTQ community,” Dr Mishra concluded.
A welcome step
Noted Sexologist, Dr Prakash Kothari, who is also the founder Professor of Sexual Medicine at GS Medical College and KEM Hospital said, “This is a very good move by the NMC, because in my opinion, conversion therapy, is nothing but exploitation of the desperate, by the ignorant.”
“As per the sixth-century astronomer, astrologer and ayurvedic physician, ‘Varāhamihira’, wherein he mentions in his book ‘Brihatjataka’, an individual is born that way. And therefore, I am of the view that to change the attraction pattern, as such a person grows, is inevitable. NMC should have done this long back,” said Dr Kothari.
Dr Santosh Kadam, President of Indian Medical Association (IMA) Thane, said, “The medical faculty has opposed such kinds of therapies all over the world, for decades. This therapy is unscientific; unreliable, inhumane and does not even give desired results. This therapy is sought due to societal taboo. To change somebody's sexual orientation towards same-sex is done by mental and physical methods. In mental methods hypnosis; faith etc are used, while the physical methods are cruel. NMC opposing such practice is a welcome move.”
Dr Sanjay Kumavat, senior consulting psychiatrist and former Deputy Director Mental Health Services, Maharashtra, “We welcome the decision of NMC and it is a positive step towards bringing an end to an unscientific and impractical approach by a minuscule number of health professionals. They not only violate the Constitutional rights of the individual but also breach NMC guidelines. This is also against the Indian Psychiatry Society (IPS) position statement. The conversion therapy has also been declared obsolete by various international medical bodies on scientific grounds.” “It is important to be told that we as members of IPS, had played an active role in bringing the much-required changes in the mindset of the stakeholders in India, to recognise the LGBTQIA community and ensure that their rights are safeguarded,” said Dr Kumavat.
“Conversion therapy may lead to depression and anxiety disorders in a minor. Such practices have been rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health organisation for decades. However, due to continuing discrimination and societal bias against LGBTQ members, some practitioners continue to conduct conversion therapy. Medical practitioners must have an attitude of openness and respect for all genders and sexualities. We welcome the decision of NMC,” said Dr Shivangi Pawar, Psychotherapist from Dadar.
2021 June
Date Madras HC banned practice of ‘Conversion Therapy’
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