In India the legal system is largely a gift from British rulers. The law governing the unnatural sexual offences in India comes under the ambit of section 377 Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Little is known about perception and perspective of Indian medical students regarding sexual practices, offences, and homosexuality and laws governing them. Hence the present study was undertaken to know the medical students panorama towards unnatural sexual offences and the Indian law.
The study was undertaken at J.N.Medical College, Belgaum. Study participants were 423 medical students with a mean age of 18.50 years. Questionnaire concerned with the objectives of the study was voluntarily filled by them and the data was analyzed.
Awareness among the Indian medical students regarding unnatural sexual offences and law is high (82.74%). Mostly awareness was imparted through media (54.04%).Majority (77.75%) think that sec 377 IPC exclusively deals with homosexuality. Majority (56.24%) of participants feel that legalization of same sex marriages is going to reduce the population growth, 41.60% feel that it is going to have a negative social impact and 65.52% are against legalizing same sex marriages in India. Best part (61.70%) of participants feel that legalization of same sex marriages depends on socio-cultural background of any nation. majority (67.18%) feel that sexual attraction amongst people of same biological sex as a manifestation of some psychopathology. 52.24% feel that homosexuality is on rising trend in India. Relatively a smaller proportion of participants (26.09%) feel exclusive vaginal intercourse as natural, however majority (45.90%) had an extended definition for this and considered any form of sexual act between a man and a women viz penovaginal, rectal or oral intercourse as a natural sexual act. 91.34% consider masturbation as unnatural, bulk of the participants (79.19%) did not want it to be included under section 377 either. Most of them (50.83%) are of the opinion that section 377 IPC should be reconsidered seriously and suitably amended.
The awareness level among Indian medical students regarding unnatural offences and law is high. However, the stand and attitude of Indian medical students on homosexuality is biased due to lack of scientific knowledge and inquiry. Change in the legal stand on same sex relationships should be done gradually. The demographic impact of legalizing same sex marriages is unpredictable. Section 377 IPC needs to be suitably considered and amended.
Homosexuality, Unnatural Sexual Offences, Sec 377 IPC, Masturbation
