The War Is Far From Over

The long-awaited battle of amendment of section 377 has finally seen the light of the day. One of the leading pioneers of the same, Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil opens up about what lies ahead, his open challenge to homophobes, the hypocrisy of religious leaders and so forth in a candid talk with Vrunda Bhatt

Photographs: Vishal Pathak

My fondest memories of growing up in an erstwhile princely state of Rajpipla (Gujarat) include standing up in a long queue and see the protagonists of Bhojpuri/Gujarati films dancing on quirky numbers at The Rajvant Palace. Today, almost a decade later, as I take a stroll at the same place, things have substantially changed; shootings have been banned and the place is astonishingly calm yet the jitters take a troll, as I am heading towards an abode of India’s first and only openly gay royal Prince Manvendra Gohil who has become the hero for millions as on 6th Sept 2018 Supreme court decriminalized homosexuality by ‘partially’ striking down the colonial era provisions of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Jitters quickly find an exit, when within few minutes of our conversations I learnt that limelight from around the world hasn’t taken the toll, in-fact, I learnt that basking in the glory isn’t an option for him as he has too many irons in the fire; renovating his archaic abode at Rajpipla and opening up the 2SLGBTQ+ centre are just a few among the many. Our meeting was scheduled just the day after his low profile birthday celebration at Rajpipla, he might have turned 53 but in his head, he remains 16, “This year too, just like all these years I am going to continue fighting, I am a born warrior and the war is far from over” declares Manvendra as he looks forward to his coming year.

"The historic day of judgment on section 377 6th September 2018 will remain special in any sense. I have made it a point to celebrate Independence Day every year on 6th September. I think I must have appeared for around 66 interviews from the media houses from across the globe and had my first meal at 11 in the night. It was crazy. However, this has just marked the beginning and the war is far from over” adds Manvendra. His thoughts resonate with that of Justice Indu Malhotra who has rightly said History owes an apology to the members of this community and their families, for the delay in providing redressal for the ignominy and ostracism that they have suffered through the centuries. He questions the hypocrisy of our country as though, the homosexual act is questioned; we happily accept ‘homosocial’ behaviour. For instance: It’s very easy for a boy and a boy to rent a house together, or a room together, but the problem comes only when they reveal their sexual identity. “We have faced terrific harassment all this while. Why did we allow archaic British laws and continue to be there slaves even years after they were thrown out?”

What’s the 2SLGBTQ+(A) center is going to be like?

Soon after his divorce with his wife, Manvendra revealed his biological identity to his parents; he was disowned but also disinherited from his humungous ancestral properties in 2006. This was depressing his phase in his life, which triggered the idea of having an 2SLGBTQ+ center “Despite coming from such wealthy and healthy background if I can face such dire consequences, I cannot imagine what would an underprivileged person (LGBTQ) would face after coming out. Hence, I wanted to develop a center to provide social empowerment and financial empowerment. In India, parents will still brush off the sexual identity of his/her child by saying that this is a disease and it can be cured. I have seen many cases where they succumb to marriage and within a few months, they get divorced also. Most of them are thrown out of the house when they reveal their biological identity facing a social boycott. It’s important to give abode to them which is free of social stigma and discrimination. Secondly, I want to generate employment avenues they would be trained to develop a talent which can be a source of financial independence for them while they stay at the center”

(In 2006,Oprah Showviewers met the world's only openly gay prince, Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil of Rajpipla, India. Prince Manvendra told how difficult it had been for him to come out. He was publicly rebuked by his parents and risked his freedom—homosexual acts were punishable by 10 years to life in prison)

He doesn’t want to just restrict this among the members of 2SLGBTQ+, so he has added an extra A to the group which stands for allies. Even a straight person who is abandoned by the society can come and seek solace provided he/she doesn’t do any harm to the community members.

The center is about to get started by the end of next year.

Religious leaders and their hypocrisy:

A famous ‘Yoga’ Guru, has openly raised his objection towards LGBTQ and challenged that he can cure them in three months and turn them straight. Manvendra being in his casual self replies,”I have got Yoga training from one of the finest yoga institutes, I have openly challenged him back that if he fails to turn me straight in three months, I can turn him gay in three weeks” jokes Manvendra as he openly rubbishes the hypocrisy and homophobia by such religious leaders.

Box: Rapid Fire:

If you can trade lives with anyone in this world who would it be?

I think I would be Manvendra. I don’t want to trade my lives with anyone else.

A bizarre thing that you learnt about yourself through Media..

When some media person wrote that I am the prince of Rajkot and not Rajpipla. Poor guy why blame him? He is straight. *laughs*

What’s the biggest myth that people have about lesbians and gays in our country?

We are often confused with Hizras (Transgenders)

If you could choose your nickname what would it be?

Malav

What’s the first thing you notice about a person?

The eyes

If you were to change a thing or two about yourself, what would it be?