Outrage over Harsh Vardhan’s comments of banning Sex education in school

There has been widespread criticism over the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan’s controversial comments in which he said that the sex education should be banned in schools.

In his vision document for Delhi schools, health minister said, “So-called “sex education” to be banned. Yoga to be made compulsory.”

Few days back he said promoting condom usage is not enough to prevent AIDS but to promote Indian culture will help prevent AIDS. However, on Wednesday he denied opposing of condoms and blamed media for distorting his comments.

“Disappointed over the way sections of the media have distorted my statements about safe sex in an interview to New York Times on June 24,” he said.

In the interview with The New York Times, Dr Harsh Vardhan was quoted as saying: “One should also promote integrity of sexual relationship between husband and wife – a part of Indian culture.”

“The thrust of the AIDS campaign should not only be on the use of condoms. This sends the wrong message that you can have any kind of illicit sexual relationship, but as long as you’re using a condom, it’s fine,” Dr. Vardhan said.

“Any experienced NGO activist knows that condoms sometimes break while being used. That is why government campaigns in India, whether through the National Aids Control Organisation or the state governments, should focus on safe sex as a holistic concept which includes highlighting the role of fidelity to single partners,” he added.

“Condoms promise safe sex, but the safest sex is through faithfulness to one’s partner. Prevention is always better than cure,” he argued.

Meanwhile Professors and intellectuals from various colleges and universities have slammed Harsh Vardhan for his “regressive” statement on banning sex education.

The party has, meanwhile,  kept its distance from Dr. Vardhan’s comments.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Sanjay Kaul said, “The issue of banning sex education in schools has not been discussed on the party forum. We have no comment to offer.”

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