BJP MP Bhim Singh has expressed displeasure over the 3 -letter code GAY of Gaya International Airport. He called it socially and culturally objectionable. LGBTQ workers have reacted strongly to his statement. He says that the MP’s comment further strengthens the prejudice against the community.
Rajya Sabha member from Bihar Bhim Singh asked in a written question in Parliament why the International Air Transport Association (IATA) code is being used for Bihar Airport, while people find it uncomfortable. He asked whether the government would consider making it more respectable and also sought a time limit for this process.
What did the Ministry of Civil Aviation say?
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that it has received similar requests earlier. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Muralidhar Mohol said that these three-deserts are given by IATA (a trade union representing 300 airlines) for the unique identity of airports around the world and usually the first three letters of the place name are used.
What did LGBTQ worker Arvind Narayan say?
LGBTQ worker Arvind Narayan has expressed objection to this demand of BJP MP. He pointed to the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in which homosexual relations were excluded from the category of crime and the right to honor of LGBTQI persons was recognized.
He said that calling us immoral by him (BJP MP) hurts the dignity of the community. They themselves need to understand that according to the Supreme Court, not personal ethics, but constitutional morality rule. They should apologize to the community.
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