(Image source from: Hindu Rights Group against Gay system})

A key Hindu rights organization here has hit out at India’s decision earlier this week to side with nations that sought to reverse the United Nations Secretary-General’s decision to extend benefits to same-sex couples working at the multilateral organization.

In a statement, the Hindu American Foundation commended Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s move towards protection of gay rights at the U.N. and criticized the resolution, introduced by Russia and supported by 43 countries, including India.

The resolution introduced on Tuesday was, however, defeated with 80 nations voting ‘nay’ and 37 countries abstaining, which effectively implied the U.N. was free to extend benefits to partners of gay employees.

“Same-sex couples deserve the same rights and respect granted to opposite-sex couples, and we commend the Secretary-General’s efforts to treat all U.N. employees with equal dignity,” said Samir Kalra, Senior Director and Human Rights Fellow at HAF.

Officials of the Ministry of External Affairs earlier reportedly explained that India’s only option was to vote in favor of the Russian resolution since homosexuality was a crime in the country and “it is a complex issue of whether nationals of a state should be governed by their laws or governed by decisions of others.”

- Manohar. M