Indradhanu
{{Short description|A queer social club in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox organization
| image = Indradhanu logo.jpg
| alt = Indradhanu Official Logo Since January 2017
| name = Indradhanu
| founded = 23 January 2013{{Cite web|url=http://www.timeoutdelhi.net/gay-lesbian/features/getting-accepted|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509112514/http://www.timeoutdelhi.net/gay-lesbian/features/getting-accepted|title=Getting accepted - Time Out Delhi|website=Time Out Delhi|language=en|access-date=2020-04-12|archive-date=2013-05-09}}
| founding_location = IIT Delhi
| type = LGBTQIA+ Collective
| location = IIT Delhi
| language = Hindi, English, Hinglish
| website = [https://www.facebook.com/indradhanu.iit/ Indradhanu]
}}
Indradhanu is the official LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual+) collective of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. The student-driven collective aims to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ persons in the institute's campus.{{Cite web|url=https://homegrown.co.in/article/53174/8-schools-and-colleges-in-india-with-in-campus-lgbt-support-groups|title=8 Schools And Colleges In India With In-Campus LGBTQ Support Groups|website=homegrown.co.in|language=en|access-date=2019-08-17}}{{Cite news |last=Basu |first=Sreeradha |date=2015-06-02 |title=How IITs, IIMs are lending a voice to LGBT issues |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/education/how-iits-iims-are-lending-a-voice-to-lgbt-issues/articleshow/47508234.cms |access-date=2019-07-31}} Members from Indradhanu have also been petitioners in the decriminalisation of homosexuality in India. In December 2021, it was accorded official recognition by the college administration. It now holds a nominated position in the Student Affairs Council of IIT Delhi and works with the office of Diversity and Inclusion, IIT Delhi.{{Cite web |last=Department of Chemistry :: IIT Delhi |title=ODI IIT DELHI |url=https://odi.iitd.ac.in/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250319111041/https://odi.iitd.ac.in/ |archive-date=2025-03-19 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=odi.iitd.ac.in |language=en}}
History
The support group started from 23 January 2013, by Kapil. {{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/where-the-mind-is-without-fear/story-kzm4F9MIQyOWmBSw8QN5nK.html|title=Where the mind is without fear|date=2013-09-08|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-04-12}}{{Cite web|url=https://elle.in/article/how-iit-bombays-queer-resource-group-saathi-is-repping-the-lgbtq-experience/|title=How IIT Bombay's queer resource group Saathi is repping the LGBTQ experience|website=Elle India|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-12}} Kapil used his representation in his course group to inform more students and soon developed into a collective to create a safer space for students belonging to sexual minority groups.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/IndradhanuIITD/photos/a.137490323080693/162493830580342/?type=3|title=Indradhanu – IIT Delhi|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-31}}
According to a survey conducted in IIT Delhi in 2015, around 72% of the respondents "believe homosexuality is as normal as heterosexuality".{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Gay-is-normal-for-72-in-IIT-D/articleshow/49428540.cms|title=Gay is 'normal' for 72% in IIT-D|date=17 October 2015|first=Shreya |last=Roy Chowdhury|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-07-31}}
Involvement in decriminalisation of homosexuality in India
In May 2018, the collective 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{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/20-iitians-from-the-lgbt-community-move-sc-challenging-section-377|title=SC Seeks Govt's Reply on IITians' Petition Scrapping Homosexuality|date=2018-05-14|website=The Quint|language=en|access-date=2019-07-31}} after the central government declared that it would not oppose the petitions, and would leave the case "to the wisdom of the court".{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/section-377-decriminalising-gay-sex-centre-leaves-decision-to-wisdom-of-supreme-court-1807991.html|title=Decriminalising Gay Sex: Centre 'Leaves It to Wisdom of Supreme Court'|website=News18|date=11 July 2018 |access-date=2019-07-31}}
On 6 September 2018, the Court overruled an earlier decision from 2013, thereby decriminalising homosexuality in India.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45429664|title=Historic India ruling legalises gay sex|date=2018-09-06|access-date=2019-07-31|language=en-GB}} After the verdict, the collective gained an established recognition.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/love-sex/for-lgbtqia-students-on-campus-support-groups-provide-a-safe-and-secure-space-to-be-out-and-proud/articleshow/69738125.cms|title=For LGBTQIA+ students, on-campus support groups provide a safe and secure space to be out and proud – Times of India|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-07-31|last1=Deb |first1=Rishabh }}
Gallery
File:Indradhanu Tour of Stalls 2.jpg|Members of Indradhanu
File:IITD Pride March 2.jpg|Indradhanu at the IIT-Delhi Pride March
File:Pride Parade at IIT Delhi.jpg|Members with posters
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.facebook.com/indradhanu.iit/ Official Facebook Page] on Facebook
Category:LGBTQ organisations based in India