"I'm frustrated." "'Tasneem' wont let me touch her" "You must relax or 'Little Johny' wont rise!" "She says she wont entertain 'Little Johny'" "Do I have to marry for that?" "Oh, she'|| entertain 'Little Johny'." "All girls want it!" "No." "This girl isn't like that." "Listen. 'Sakeena' was once at the college fee counter" "Said to the collector 'Sir, take mine, take it quickly'" "The guy got excited, said 'wait 2 minutes, |'|| take it properly'" "An impatient 'Sakeena' said" "'Sir, take it quickly or my period will begin!" "'" "Wake up 'Little Johny'" "So they're still at it, eh?" "Move quickly." "Anuj." " Hmmm." "Who do I talk to for a news source in Aligarh?" " The PTI correspondent." "Do you have the number?" " Why?" "I want to talk to him about this story." "Your job is to select stories, not write them." "Number, please." "You maybe clearing the slums for the Commonwealth Games"" "but you're creating dumping grounds elsewhere." "Namita, I want to talk about something." "No, no, sir.." "Sir, we are not here to ruin your reputation" "You have enough people doing that for you." "Thank you very much for your time." "First of all, you're looking very pretty in this sari." "Stop sucking up...get to the point." "I have a breaking story." "Did you have to break my conversation for that?" "Some TV journalists barged into a professofs home, in A|igarh.." "..and they filmed him having sex with a rickshaw-puller." "Okay." "Give it to Arpit, he's good with sex scandals." "You think this is a sex-scandal?" "The University suspended that professor for being gay" "What do you think this is?" "|t's a Human-story, my beat." "Please." " Deepu you've been working here for only 4 months." "You've got to climb the wire like everyone else." "I was a topper in my college." "I got a scholarship to study journalism." "Deepu, please." " Give it to Sonali." "I need someone with experience on this." "Sonali?" " I think she failed high school." "Deepu, stop being a drama queen." " Okay, sorry." "Listen...|'|| do a better job." "Trust me...just this one story." "Deepu, get back to work...and stop disturbing me please." "Namita!" "Namita!" " Deepu, stop it." "Horrible sari." " Thank you." "Hello aunty." "Sorry?" "You forgot to switch the motor on." "Yeah, sorry, I came in late." "10pm." "Tenant must turn on the motor." "Or there'|| be no water." "Turn it on again tomorrow at 7 am." "She really needs to get laid man." "Down with gay professor Siras!" "Down with Siras!" "Throw him out!" "Throw him out!" "Professor Siras." "|t's me!" "Open the door." "Who is it?" "Who?" "Sridharan!" "Sit." "Sit." "The mosquitoes kept me awake all night." "Didn't let me sleep all night." "Some tea?" " No need for tea." "|'|| be late." "Did you write the letter?" "Why should I write it?" "Whatever happened that night..." "Whafs done is done. |t's the past." "Think about your future." "Write the letter." "What should I write?" "That you're ashamed for whatever happened that night." "Thafs it." "Give me an envelope." "Okay." "You call this an envelope?" "|'|| take one from my home." "One more thing." "Siras...things are really bad on campus." "Stay away from the campus for a while." "Did you hear me?" "Stay away from the campus!" ""You found me worthy of love."" ""O heartmstop beating so fast, |'ve found my destiny."" ""You found me worthy of |ove.."" ""Yes, I accept yourmdecision."" ""Yes, I accept yourmdecision."" ""With every glance, O beloved I say thank you."" ""You gave me a place in your life."" ""O heartmstop beating so fast, |'ve found my destiny."" ""You found me worthy of |ove.."" ""lam your destiny, and you are mine."" ""lam your destiny, and you are mine."" ""Why should I be scared of the storm."" ""when you are my shore?"" ""Someone tell the storm..."" ""...|'ve found my shore."" ""O heartmstop beating so fast, |'ve found my destiny."" ""You found me worthy of love..."" ""O beloved, your shadows falling on my heart."" ""O beloved, your shadows falling on my heart."" ""I can hear trumpets blaring."" ""I feel blessed with happiness."" ""You found me worthy of love."" "Good morning Deepu." "This isn't a hammock, ifs my desk." "You want my feedback?" "What if I say no?" "Your article feels like some gay-rights protest statement, not a story." "Too bad your opinion has never mattered." "Karan." " Take your feet off my desk." "Namita." "Namita." "I need conveyance to go to Aligarh." "Deepu, I can't send you without the senior editor's sanction." "You know how these things work." "Namita, please." "I really need this." "Do this for me." "Please." "You're looking so pretty in this sari!" "Say something like research or something.." "We cou|d've taken the car, but no.." "Why did we take your bike?" "We'|| buy booze with the money we save." "Excuse me.." "Where can ifind Prof. Siras?" "He doesn't come here anymore." "Since when?" "Since the scandal." "He did come once." "He packed his stuff and left." "Where can we find him now?" " I don't know." "She doesn't know anything." "Why is the department so empty?" "Who cares about regional languages around here?" "We hardly get 2-3 students a year." "Professor' is just a mere title!" "Thank you." "Lefs go." "Excuse me, sir." "Where can ifind Prof. Sridharan?" " I am Sridharan." "Hello, I am Deepu Sebastian." "..from Indian Post Newspaper." " So?" "I wanted to talk about Prof. Siras, for a story I am doing," "I have no time." "Sir, sir...on|y two minutes." "You think his suspension is justified?" " I don't want to talk to the media." "Sir, pleaseml want to help him." "|t's best you don't help him." "This matter has already escalated out of control." "But, sir, there was no action taken against the two who conducted the sting operation." "Don't you think he's being victimized?" "I request you, please don't pursue him.." ""otherwise he won't have any place to even hide." "Please understand." "Excuse me...sorry." "Thank you, sir." "Later we'|| eat some meat curry here." "|'ve heard a lot about it." "Cheapo, you'|| pay the bill." "Deepu smile!" "His house is completely locked" "Looks like Siras has fled." "No, look the lights are on." "So what?" "He musfve left the lights on and fled." "He must be somewhere nearby." "|'m sure he's just scared." "|'ve been sitting here for 1% hours"" "|'ve been sitting here for 1% hours when is my turn?" "Did you register your name with the nurse?" "Yes." "Then come tomorrow." "Because the nurse has left." "I think my Blood Pressure is high..." "What the.." "Delhi wasn't this cold." "|t's really cold out here." "|t's not that bad today." " Yeah, ifs not that bad today." "sir," "Sir...are you okay?" "Watermsome water?" "Shall I call a doctor?" " No." "Give me your bags." "Are you okay, sir?" "I was out in the sun all afternoon." "Mondays I do grocery shopping." "Must be a little bit of sunstroke." "Yes, the sun was out this afternoon." "What grade are you from?" " Huh!" "What grade?" "|'m not from around here, sir...| am from Delhi." "DU (Delhi University)?" "But still you won't find a better university campus compared to ours." "No. 3 in India." "Very nice campus, sir." "Come in." "Keep it here." "Sir..." " Sit." "Do you cook yourself?" "Yes. |'m a bachelor." "People have been unfair with you, sir." "Who?" "The University"" "Deepuy" "Deepuy" "Who is it?" "Tashi, give me two minutes." "Sir..." " Put it down." "Keep the camera inside." " Camera?" "I said put it inside!" "Camera?" " He's my colleague, sir." "lam from the Indian Post Newspaper." "I wanted talk to you for five minutes." "What they did with you wasn't fair, sir." "You're a journalist?" "From Indian Post Newspaper, sir." "Deepu Sebastian." "Five minutes, sir.." "Rascal." "Basu"" "Sir..." "You're a fraud." "Sir, I..." "You're a fraud." "Rascal!" "Don't come back here!" "You think this is funny?" "Am I a joker from a circus?" "Only five minutes, sir." "Sir...|et me help you." "They've turned this into a bloody circus!" "Only five minutes, let me help you sir.." "Get lost." " Sir..." "Shove the camera up your backside." "Don't yell at me." "You deserted me.." "I didn't know you lied to get close to him." "At leastl understand his feelings." "lam not up for sale like you." "Yeah..." " Selfish people." "Go." " Why are we here?" "You'|| get a direct bus to Delhi from here." "You go, I am going to try again tomorrow." "Go on, |'|| see you in Delhi." "Lend me some money." "Come on." "Give it." "Thafs 2000." " Fine, |'|| give it back." "What a cheapster." "See you day after." "Bye." "The University is charge-sheeting"" "..Prof. Srinivas Siras for the incident that took place on 8th February." "His immoral conduct.." "..is unbecoming of a teacher at Aligarh University (AU)." "Prof. Siras will be sent a legal notice today." "And he'|| have to vacate his allotted quarters." "..21 Medical Co|ony.." "..within 7 days." "(OIS) Sir, can you tell us who the other person with Prof. Siras was?" "But, sir...what about the two people who made this tape?" "I mean...was there no action taken against them?" "No." " But why?" "Because they are not our employees!" "But isn't it true that.." "..this videotape was made without Prof. Siras' permission?" "You think this is funny?" "A journalist is asking me this question?" "Do you take permission before shoving your cameras anywhere?" "Remember, the issue here isn't the camera..." "The issue is its content." "Whafs the reason behind leaking this tape?" "No more questions!" "Well done." "Thank you." "No other reporter wou|d've raised this question." "|t's my job." "Do I know you?" "Tahir Islam, Philosophy Department." "Deepu Sebastian, from Indian Post Newspaper." "Siras is a good friend of mine." "lam glad he has a friend." "You cannot disconnect my electricity." "This notice clearly states that I have seven days." "You'|| get electricity for only 4 hours." "From 7am to 11am." "You cannot disconnect e|ectricity.." ""as long as I'm still living here." "I will lodge a complaint with the police." "Go ahead, go to the police." "ls it done?" " Yes." "How about we settle this some other way?" "Give me some more time." "What time did you say?" "7am to 11am." "My father was a professor at AU." "I studied at Oxford." "But I came back here to teach.." "..because of what the University stood for." "What exactly did it stand for?" "After the Mughal ru|e.." "..it was the Aligarh University that shaped.." "..the outlook of the Muslims." "It imparted a..." "A scientific and progressive world view to Indian Muslims." "And of course, it was the nursery for freedom fighters." "But the sad part is.." "..| can't use these words for AU anymore." "Why?" "This place is terribly politicized." "Back in time, differences were settled through debates." "..these are now settled through bloodshed." "You think Prof. Siras is a victim of internal politics?" "Oh yes, definitely." "He's been intentionally disgraced." "Sugar?" " Yes, one spoon." "Sir, can you tell me about this in more detail?" "About what could have happened..." "Look, I want to help Siras.." "..and I will do what I can." "But I can't rock the boat too much." "|t's okay." "Thank you." "Hello, sir." "Who?" " Deepu Sebastian..." "Dr. Islam must have spoken to you." "Yeah...he did." "lam sorry for the other day, sir." "Whafs wrong?" "Something wrong with the meter?" "Trying to reconnect my electricity." "The University had my Electricity disconnected." "So this is your meter?" "No, thafs my neighbofs!" "He's gone out." "That won't do it, sir." "Thafs the earth wire." "Can ltry?" "Please stand back." "No...| mean you might get a shock." "Hmm...this one's the earth wire." "What happened?" "Just joking, ifs done." "Done!" "Shut it." "Take those." "Wanta drink?" "No." "Thank you." "Sure?" " No...thank you." "Cheers." "Sir, |'m not after your personal details" "|t's none of my business, of course." "But I do know...they had no right to barge into your home." "This was a conspiracy against me." "By Au?" "By some people in AU." "They are jealous of me." "Why?" "lam considered an outsider here." "An outsider." "lteach Marathi in a city that speaks Urdu." "|'m a bachelor amongst married people." "Yet I was appointed the chairman of the linguistics department." "You know, this morning when they disconnected my e|ectricity.." "..| wanted to jump to my death from the University's clock tower." "But I stopped." "Thank God I stopped!" "Yes, sir." "Now I can drink!" "Sir, do you mind ifl record?" "Thank you." "You were saying something?" "Last January a colleague threatened that he wou|dn't let me remain... ..the chairman of the Linguistic department for too long." "And a week later this incident took place." "ls it because you're gay?" "I don't understand this word." "So you're not gay?" "How can someone describe my feelings in three letters?" "|t's like poetry.." "...that is deep within." "A burning desire"" "that cannot be controlled." "An uncontrollable urge." "Which poets have you read?" "Poets?" "Oh my.." "I haven't read too many." "Tennyson is too confusing for me." "Too many words make my head spin." "As if poetry is in the words?" "Poetry is found in between the words." "In the silencesmthe pauses." "People can interpret it in different ways." "According to their age, their maturity..." "Understand?" " Understand...yes.." "That book of yours, "Grass Under my Feet"" "I looked everywhere for it, but cou|dn't find it." "Naturally, who buys poetry these days!" "And your generation has no understanding of poetry at all." "They want to put a label on everything." "Fantastic!" "Fabulous!" "Super!" "Superb!" "Cool." " Awesome!" "Awesome!" "So why did you join AU?" " I love AU." "No, I mean there's not much demand for Marathi here.." "I got a lot of respect here." "Now see...there are thousands of Marathi teachers in Maharashtra." "But in Aligarh, there is only one." "Professor S R Siras!" "Only one." "Yeah...on|y one." "Sir...can we talk about that night?" "Those people who barged in, did you know them?" "How did they get in?" "I don't know." "You think they broke in?" "Or you did you leave the door open?" "Pleasemtalk to me, sir." "You have to help me to help you." "Please sir." "Me and my friend Wé.." "..were in this bedroom." "Two people came in." "One was holding a camera and the other was holding a stick." "They pounced on us." "They were hitting us with the stick." "Especially my friend." "They didn't let me wear my clothes either." "They took off my clothes." "I kept pleading not to hit my friend." "Just... .. just so shameful." "When sudden|y...four of my colleagues came in my bedroom." "Your colleagues?" "What were they doing here?" "Its okay, sir." "Am I drunk?" "Not yet." "Then |'|| have one more." "Sure." "My book." "'Paya Khali Hirwal.'" "Grass Under my Feet!" "If you ever feel like reading poetry." "Thank you, sir." "Oh." "But I can't read Marathi!" "|'ve a translated version as well." "But it is very poorly translated." "I was thinking..." "I should translate it myself someday." "So you can give me that cOPY. sir." "No... this is a souvenir." "Okay...thank you." "In that case, can I get an autograph," "No, |'|| do it with my pen." "Signed copy." "Love S R Siras." "Okay?" " Yeah...perfect." "Okay, |'|| take your leave, sir." "Be careful, ifs quite late." "Pleasure meeting you." "|'|| see you soon." "Goodnight." " Goodnight." "|'ve switched on the motor." "This story has got nothing to do with.." "..him being gay or straight." "The question is...how did six peop|e.." "..barge into his home without his permission." "On 2nd July, 2009.." "..De|hi High Court declared section 377... was unconstitutional." "Prof. Siras' suspension and charge-sheeting.." "..is a harsh blow to the judicial decision." "Today...we need to.." "..unite and challenge that decision!" "For the first time in Indian History"" "..the law is in our favor." "Justice for Siras!" "Justice for Siras!" "Look, Mr. Siras..." "if you decide to challenge AU.." "..we will support you entirely." "You don't realize it...but your case is very strong." "Due to the amendment of section 377." "Pardon me, but |'ve no interest in activism." "Mr. Siras, this isn't activism." "|t's fighting for our rights." "Let me show you something, sir." "Take a look at this signature campaign." "30,000 people have signed in your support." "You must have heard about Vijay Grover." "The same lawyer that argued against section 377." "He wants to represent you in this case." "I see." "Siras, you've been working here for so long." "Do you really think they will revoke your suspension so easily?" "You have to fight it out, Mr. Siras." "What will I have to do?" "We'|| have to write in our petition that you're gay." "What?" "We'|| have to write in our petition that you're gay." "Will you be alright?" "Do we have your permission?" "No." "No." "No..." "No." "Excuse me, professor, please." "Put the luggage down." "What?" " Keep the bag there...please.." ".. only for a minute." "Switch it on." "Sir, how does it feel?" "What?" "How are you feeling leaving your old home?" "Please tell us, sir." "Let me go." " Please, sir." "Lefs go." "Please, sir." "Take the suitcase up." "The books." ""|t's a desire of a restless heart."" ""|t's a desire of a restless heart."" ""I will lovemworship you."" ""Make you my God."" ""|t's a desire of a restless heart."" ""As long as you didn't.."" ""..inhibit my forlorn dreams."" ""Happiness was unknown to me.."" ""..and sorrows were like a stranger."" ""I even hid my heartbeats from me.."" "The problem with 377 was nobody could speak up." "If you said you were gay.." "..you were directly seen as a criminal." "I applaud your courage." "It must not have been easy coming here." "No, sir." "You're the courageous one." "You're fighting for people like you." "I don't think he's gay." "He's not a gay?" "We don't say 'a' gay?" "What?" " |t's just "He's Gay"." "He's Gay?" "Getting late." "Come." "Lefs go." "According to the Times Asia Higher Education Body.." "..A|igarh University is ranked no.3 amongst Indian Universities." "Clearly such eminent universities." "...have a strict code of conduct." "Mr. Siras didn't just violate these rules"" "..in fact, he has also violated the moral code of his employees." "Due to his obscene behavior within the University premises.." "..he has tarnished the image of the teacher community." "The victim here isn't Mr. Siras.." "..the victim here is Aligarh University"" ""because their great reputation has been tarnished." "By suspending Mr. Siras.." "..the Aligarh University has abided by its rules." "And ifs not illegal to follow rules and regulations. ls it?" "THANK YOU." "Thank you." "Your lordship." "You said AU followed 'their' rules." "'Their' rules." "Not the rules of the Indian Constitution." "You're forgetting that.." "..in the court we argue within legislatures and laws." "Article 21 clearly states." "..every citizen of this country is entit|ed.." "..to the right to privacy and dignity." "Which means, every citizen of this democracy.." "..is equally entitled to solitude and boundaries." "On the night of 8th February.." "..my client was deprived of his constitutional right." "Some people forcefully entered his home.." "..and filmed him in his private moments." "When the University officials." "Proctor Zuber Khan, deputy proctor Feroz Majid.." "..PRO Shadab Qureshi and Media Advisor AK Murtuza arrived.." "..they cou|d've stopped this violation, your lordship." "But instead of reprimanding those two reporters"" "..the University officials persecuted my client." "They humiliated him." "And the next day, without any inquiry..." "AU suspended Dr. Siras." "Without giving him a chance to even appea|.." "..he was charge-sheeted." "He was given only 7 days to vacate his home.." "..during which the electric supply to his home was also disconnected." "Your lordship, my client is a 64 year old senior citizen." "He had only 3 months to go before retirement." "Aligarh University"" ""has blatantly violated my clients Constitutional rights." "We appeal to the honorable court.." "..that Prof. Siras' suspension be revoked." "And his home, 21 Medical Co|ony.." "..be immediately returned to him." "Thank you, your lordship." "Sir, can you hear them now?" "Can you hear them from the studio?" " Okay." "Yeah.." " Okay...we're ready to go." "Yeah." "Okay." "Good luck, sir." "(OIS) Good evening and welcome to India Fights Back.." "a professor of the Aligarh University"" "..on the verge of retirement, has been fired for being gay." "This new controversy has reignited.." "..the homosexuality debate on the University campus." "And both Students and Teachers stand divided." "Prof. Siras, were you sacked because you are gay?" "lam very disturbed, because after years of service.." "..the University decided to take such a step." "lam very much upset." "Those people entered my house without.." "(OIS) Society requires punishment when there is an offence.." "Nobody should be allowed to devalue our system." "It is not about being gay or anything." "This is about morality." "(OIS) We teacher community, in any University are.." "..to teach moral values." "(OIS) So nobody should be a||owed...to devalue our own system." "They are not asking me any question." "Islam is against any sex outside marriage." "And anybody who is coming in the way of.." "..the survival of humanity as well as.." "..the advancement of the humanity." "He||o.." "Listen..." " He wants to pee..." "He wants to go to the loo." "Can you put him on loop?" "Yes, put him on loop please." "Yes, okay.." "So tell us Mr. Qureshi." "The proctor and I were having dinner.." "..at a guesthouse close-by." "We heard that, someone was filming something at the Medical Colony." "As the Public Relations Officer, ifs my duty.." "..to be present if there is any filming on campus." "I called up Deputy Proctor Dr. Majid.." "..and Media Advisor Prof. Murtuza, and asked them to accompany me." "What did you see when you got there?" "I saw that Siras and his partner were sitting on the bed." "Siras was in his undergarments." "..and he was apologizing to those reporters." "I immediately demanded to see the videotape." "And what I sawmwas completely vulgar and shameful." "What did you see?" "It was embarrassing." "He was involved in an immoral act with that rickshaw-puller." "So was it sexual in nature?" "Homo-sexual." "Practicing homosexuality within the University premises.." ""is totally immoral and is forbidden." "He was suspended under the AU rules." "Thank you." "No more questions." "Please." "Mr. Qureshi, what were you and Proctor doing that night in the guest house?" "Like I said, we were having dinner." "Just dinner?" "Was it just the two of you?" "Where were your wives?" "What do you mean?" "I mean did they know you two were alone in the guest house?" "What kind of a question is that?" "Two peop|e...a|| alone in a empty guest house." "Anything is possible." "I object." " Sustained." "Mr. Qureshi, how did you find out.." "..that some people were filming at 21 Medical Colony?" "It got an... anonymous phone call." "Anonymous phone call?" "Convenient." "Did they have permission to shoot?" "No." "So when you saw them shooting without permission.." "..did you take any action?" "Did you call the police?" "No." "Why didn't you call the police?" "When I arrived, I saw that Siras was apologizing to the reporters." "He was embarrassed." "He admitted his mistake." " Thafs alright." "Why didn't you call the po|ice.." "..because they were shooting without permission?" "But Siras could've called the police as well." "But...he didn't." "There was no doubt that he was guilty." "Didn't you feel that Prof. Siras was mortified.." "..by the violent and aggressive behavior of those reporters?" "Thafs why I demanded to see the videotape." "He did not seem 'mortified' while in the act." "Why did you call those reporters to another room?" "What was the need for a private conversation at that moment?" "Because I personally requested them not to air the tape." "I didn't want the University's reputation to be maligned." "Really?" "Times!" "Herald!" "Daily!" "Exactly two days |ater.." "..you were giving interviews to every newspaper." "Didn't you think about the University's reputation then?" "The prosecution is trying to mislead the court your honor." "Thafs not true your honor." " That is true." "The question isn't how my clients got there." "The question is about..." "Mr. Siras' gross misconduct." "And anyway, why are we sermonizing about his innocence?" "When he has already accepted that he was wrong." "Thafs not true, your honor." " That is true." "This is just a.." " Can I just show something to you?" "Allow me." "This is a letter that was written by him." "It is signed by him, and.." "..it is addressed to the vice-chancellor of the University." "lam sorry, your lordship, we don't have a copy of that." "|'|| give you a copy." "Mr. Grover." "Please." "He's clearly accepted in this |etter.." "..that he's wrong." "Why did you write that letter?" "Sridharan asked me to." "He tried talking to the Vice Chancellor for pardoning me." "ls he your friend?" " Yes." "You will have to talk to him." "This letter doesn't look good." "He will have to depose." "Iwill try." "Look, Siras no one from my fami|y.." ""has ever been to a police station or court." "Don't humiliate us." "Please." "Sridharan, I am feeling bad too." "But they are using that letter against me." "Who asked you to go to the court?" "I told you...this matter would die down in a few months." "What else could I do, Sridharan?" "Now this has become a public issue, Siras." "Sorry, you will have to endure it alone." "Dinner's ready." "Okay?" "Fine." "Fine, fine." "Fine." "Hello, aunty." "How are you back so soon today?" "I finished work early." "One second, |'|| call you." "Whafs going on here?" "You're back early today." "So can't I come to my room whenever.." "My diary!" "Whose kids are these?" "Whafs going on here?" "Tuitions..." " With whose permission?" "I don't need your permission." "|'|| talk to aunty." "Aunty." "Aunty." "Maggfs taking tuitions in my room." "So?" " So?" "Thafs my room." "Don't be so na'|'ve." "Then do it in your room." "Your room is always empty"" "..you often come late." "So I let her give tuitions there." "What do I do now?" "I want to change?" "Where do I go now?" "You're always such a mess anyway!" "Go mind your business!" "What.." " Sorry." "Tenants these days think They own the house." "Deepu.." "Deepuy Wake up!" "Wake up!" "Were you working late?" "Did you not see your email?" " What happened?" "Siras's video.." "with the rickshaw-puller." "What happened?" "Lets go to the conference room." "Catch him!" "Catch him!" "What have I done?" "Let me go, sir." "I haven't done anything." "No, I haven't done anything." "Let me go." "Do it!" "Do it now!" "I haven't done anything." "Why did you stop?" "Look here." "We weren't doing anything." "Let me go." "D0 it!" "Take that off." "Whafs your name?" " lrfan" "Excuse me." "Do you know where lrfan lives?" "The rickshaw puller." "Do you know where lrfan lives?" "He's a skinny boy, pulls a rickshaw." "I don't know." "|t's okay." "Thank you." "Do you know where lrfan lives?" "Irfan?" "Where does lrfan live?" "This is |rfan's house." "ls he at home?" " He isn't." "Where did he go?" "The police gave him a sound thrashing." "And we don't know where he is now." "Any address." "Stop bothering me.." " No, no...| am not bothering you." "Please go away." "Just two minutes." " Please go away." "I said go away." "Go away." "Please...if you have any address." "I said I don't want to talk about lrfan." "Go away." "Salim!" "Salim!" "Yes aunty.." "Salim, this boy's troubling me." "Why are you bothering her." " No, no, I am not bothering her." "Deepu." " Sir." "How are you?" "Fine, thank you." "I was told that I have a visitor"" "..and I was thinking who this person is." "I was crossing through this town." "I knew you were here." "So I thought I should look you up." "Crossing all the way through Allahabad?" "No, actually I wanted to know how the court case was going.." "..and ifs been a while." "I thought I must come and see you." "Actually I was going to have lunch." "Will you join me?" " Yeah, of course." "As long as you're paying for it.." " Sure. why not." "lam kidding sir." "Of course." "How did you get that bruise?" "This one." "This?" "Oh, this." "This was during World War 1, with the Germans." "very funny." "Some more lentils?" " No." "Just a little." " No." "Why?" " No." "You touched it." " So?" "You're eating meat, we're Brahmins." "Oh my... sorry sir, I didn't know." " |t's okay." "I don't understand all this religious stuff!" "Religion isn't something to understand." "The minute you start rationalizing, you sacrifice faith." "I did see "Aastha" (faith) on television!" "I understand!" "How's the court case going?" "Are you taking my interview, Deepu?" "No, no, sir." "|'ve just come to meet you." "So, how's the court case coming along?" "Very boring." "I go crazy with boredom!" "But I blame my father for this." "Why?" "He was a lawyer." "I grew up hearing about sections, petitions, arguments..." "But I didn't understand it then.." "And I still don't understand it!" "ican imagine." "I have a strange relation with law as well." "When I was a kid, I would argue with everyone" "People would say "He will become a lawyer."" "I even prepared for Law school." "I managed to get admission too." "But fortunately I changed my mind." "But dad...who paid 100,000 rupees as fees." "..he still taunts me about it." "Dads are all the same really." "ls he happy with your job now?" "Either be a doctor, or a engineer...or go abroad and mint money." "Nothing else matters." "And your family members?" "Two brothers, in Nagpur." "Do you talk to them?" "We don't get along." "We've been living apart for 3O years." "But their children are very close to me." "Children don't judge you." "Never." "Didn't your parents pressurize you for marriage?" "I mean it normally happens in small cities." "The family pressurizes you for marriage after a certain age." "I did get married." " You did?" "Back when I got a job as a professor." "She did come to Aligarh as well." "But it did not work out." "Because you are gay?" "No, it wasn't that." "Then?" "I was too busy with my books and my old film songs." "She got bored of me and left." "Now tell me honestly, how did you get that bruise?" "This!" "Actually I went to Jamalpur, to meet lrfan." "That place is really rough." "Irfan doesn't live there anymore." "He ran away." "His mother said that the police thrashed him up." "Why are they harassing the poor man?" "You think lrfan was involved too?" "Meaning?" "Your door wasn't damaged from the outside." "So someone might have left it open from within." "Maybe I didn't shut it properly." "There are three latches on your door." "And you forgot to lock all of them?" "Sir, I am sorry but.." "..you will have to be comfortable talking about lrfan." "Otherwise these people will drive you crazy." "We knew each other for just 8 months." "At my age, people often get lonely." "Was he your lover?" "You people are so obsessed with the word '|over'.." "..at least try to understand '|ove'." "Its a beautiful word.." "You're making it sound like a dirty word." "I have a problem with this." "Can I take a picture with you?" "With me?" " Yeah." "Look." "Nice." "lam looking so bad." " No, you're looking very good." "You are a very good looking man." "Oh, God!" "Thank you." "Alright, sir." "See you next time, after you win the case." "Thank you for coming." "|t's an honor, sir." "Goodnight." "Deepu." "My book." "Sir, I still know just one word in Marathi." "'Marathif" "No, no...| translated this in English." "I had nothing to do in the court." "So I thought |'d translate this for you." "Wow!" "Thank you so much, sir." "My English is not as good as you peop|e's English." "Thank you, sir, really." "Welcome." "Goodnight, sir." ""O beloved moon, fear not the dawn that separates us."" ""For we will meet again, when the world goes to sleep."" ""In the light of day, I am unseen."" ""It is in your light, my heart awakens."" ""We will dance as shadows dance.."" ""..to the songs of nightingales."" ""We will touch as shadows touch.."" ""..becoming one in the midnight sun."" ""O beloved moon, fear not the dawn that separates us."" ""For we will meet again, when the world goes to sleep."" "Keep it on tonight." "Why?" "I feel cold in the dark." "I feel hot." "I feel scared." "Of whom?" "I did not realize that two people had already entered my flat." "They claimed to be from News 100 channel." "They pounced on us and one of them..." "started beating us with a stick." "Especially..." "My friend." "They didn't let me wear my clothes either." "lmasked why they're doing it, they said"" ".."We've received a complaint"." ""How dare you behave so obscenely in a family society?"" "And then they made us stand in a corner.." "..and took our pictures in embarrassing positions." "I kept requesting them to stop"" "..and thafs when four of my University colleagues." "..came into my bedroom." "Can you tell the names of your colleagues to the honorable court?" "Yes." "University Proctor, Dr. Zuber Khan." "Deputy Proctor, Dr. Feroz Majid." "University PRO, Dr. Shadab Qureshi." "Professor AK Murtuza." "I was surprised to see them." "Because I neither called nor asked anyone for help." "Prof. Siras, you didn't call them?" " No, I didn't." "They stood there and kept staring at me." "And they did not let me wear my clothes..." "Then, they took the reporters to the adjoining room.." "..where they had a conversation." "Later the reporters left." "Shadab Qureshi returned to my room.." "..and I pleaded with him that he keep this under wraps." "And he assured me that he has the tape.." "..and he will ensure it remains private." "But next day...this story was published in every local newspapen." "..a|ong with my photograph." "And then I was suspended." "Mr. Siras, what was your relationship with the rickshaw-puller?" "I asked, what was your relationship with the rickshaw-puller?" "He was a friend." "Friend." "Will you tell the court about your exact relation with him?" "Your lordship, this has no connection with the case"" "Fine, I will change my question." "You're such a senior professor, Mr. Siras.." "..and you mingle with a lower-class Muslim from the slums?" "What kind of a friendship is this?" "We would listen to music." "Listen to music?" "What else?" "Watch movies together." " Watch movies?" "And you would pay him to have sex with you." "Your lordship, she's asking ridiculous questions.." "Tell us, Mr. Siras." " She's only talking about the sex!" "Fine, okay...|'|| change my question." "Whafs your age?" "63?" "64?" "64. 64 is your age, right?" "Even at 64 you have the strength to have sex." "Your lordship, such questions cannot be a||owed.." " Speak up." "Why don't you speak up?" "Tell us, Siras sir." "lthink you cannotjust." " |...| don't want to talk about this." "Why don't you want to talk about it?" "You've pressed charges against such an esteemed University." "You will have to answer my questions." "..but I will change my question." "Tell me...who was the 'man' in bed?" "You or the rickshaw-puller?" "What is she talking?" " Tell us, Mr. Siras." "Whafs wrong?" "You have to vacate the house right now." "Why?" "Bachelors aren't allowed here." "Why did your agent lie?" "You're not married." "You lied." "No, I am married." "I was...| mean...| still am." "Fine." "Then..." "Where is your family?" "I have a family." " Where?" "My family is in Nagpur, and I live here." "You can stay here when you bring your family." "Take your luggage and get out." "Why?" "If the others living here are 'familiesﬂ." "..did I bother anyone?" "No, you didn't." "But you |led.." "That you're a family." "I lied?" "Yes." "Didn't you take security fees?" " Yes, I did." "Didn't you take a deposit from me?" " Yes, I did." "Didn't you take registration?" " Yes, I did." "Why?" " For renting my apartment." "So I am staying in this apartment." "I don't care." "We have families living here, Bachelors are not allowed." "Are bachelors terrorists?" " Maybe." "Vacate the room." " Why should I?" "Rasca|...ba§~~~" "Who do you think you are?" "What?" "Did I pick a fight?" "Or trouble you?" "What do you think you are?" " What are you saying?" "Why did you take security fees?" " I did." "Why did you take deposit?" " I did." "Why did you take it?" "I took it because I rented the apartment to you." "This is your apartment?" " Yes." "Then stay in your apartment." " What is this?" "Rascal!" "What are you all staring at?" "This is a peaceful neighborhood." "There's a stainless steel factory close-by.." "..and they make really good locks." "How many locks will I need?" " Sir, I would advise two." "You have to be careful." "Right?" "Did you talk to the owner?" " Yes." "The owner stays out of town mostly." "Just keep in mind, too many 'guests' are not allowed." "Stop here." "Just a bit ahead." "Take a look." "Does this look alright?" "|t's a well maintained room." "Here's the key." "And... registration charges." "I won't vacate this place before one year." "Only then will I pay." "Even the owner won't ask you to leave before a year." "Swear on your kids?" " Yes, I swear." "Bring the luggage in." "Every society, every institution"" ""has the right to filter ifs members." "Will you allow immoral characters in your premises." "..where you are raising your children?" "No!" "Mr. Siras lied about being married and duped his neighbors." "And when his neighbors found out.." "..that random men visit him at untimely hours, they complained." "Why should such immoral acts impact our children?" "Was Prof. Siras carrying his business out in the playground?" "Why were these people peeking in his house?" "What business do neighbors have looking into someone's bedroom?" "And who's morality are we talking about, your lordship?" "Because the definition of morality is open to interpretation." "Those who are vegan, might consider meat-eaters immoral." "Married people might consider divorcees as immoral." "What is the boundary of morality?" "If someone strays out of one's moral boundaries." ""should he be punished?" "Because if that's the case, then every citizen of this country.." "..should be in prison for violating someone else's moral boundaries." "We're not talking about any one person's morality, Mr. Grover." "We're talking about the collective morality.." "..of the 175 year old Aligarh University." "|...|...| understand." "Yes." "Collective morality." "I would like to tell my learned friend.." "..that no institution has the right to invade someone's personal life." "I would like the honorable judge to refer to.." "..De|hi High Courfs historic July 2009 judgment.." "..in the NAZ foundation Vs Government of NCT De|hi.." "..where Delhi High court decriminalized homosexuality." "Even in that case, the opposition's main line of defense was morality." "We argued...that there has to be a constitutional boundary to morality." "It must have constitutional limitations." "Because if we leave it ambiguous." "..peop|e can misuse it to further their vested interests." "It took us 1O years, but we won the battle." "While de-criminalizing homosexuality"" "..the division bench stated." "If there is one constitutional tenet.." "..which can be said to be the underlying theme.." "..of the Indian Constitution, it is that of inclusiveness." "I beg your pardon, Mr. Grover." "But the section 377 amendment that you're talking about.." ""is applicable only in the Delhi High court." "And this is the Allahabad High court." "And here homosexuality is still illegal." "It is a crime." "lam very sorry that my learned friend doesn't rea|ize.." "..that the Indian constitution is equal for everyone." "Whether its Delhi or A||ahabad.." "..any High court order applies to all the states of India." "Until...it isn't challenged in a particular state, and overruled." "Therefore the Delhi High court order.." "..decrimina|izing homosexuality...is binding on this court too." "Thank you, your lordship." "Namaste!" "Prof. Siras, meet Mehmood Naqvi." "Very well known artist from Delhi." "Thafs Abhilash Tripathi." "Mr. Tripathi is a renowned poet." "And thafs Prathamesh Sharma." "He's a lawyer." "You and me are mere illusions." "Victory and defeat are mere words." "There is no beginning, nor is there an end." "This moment is the only truth." "Because..." "O beloved moon, Fear not the dawn that separates us." "For we must meet again, when the world sleeps." "Thafs my poem." " I see." "Really?" " Yes." "Wow." "I read your book." "It was hard to find." " Yes, It is very difficult." "Very difficult to get it." "How did you like the translation?" "English wasn't too good." "|'m a Hindi lawyer, sir." "They are the same people who signed the petition.." "..and supported you." "Today, I lost myself to 'Him'." "|t's in Marathi, okay?" "Today, I lost myself to 'Him'." "Today, I lost myself to 'him'." "At the crack of dawn 'He' came a|ong.." "At the crack of dawn 'He' came a|ong.." "..and stole my heart." "This morning, Lord Krishna appeared in my dreams and stole my heart." "Wonderful." "Wonderful." "In the midst of my sweet morning sleep"" "In the midst of my sweet morning sleep"" "'He' lifted me gently, like a fallen flower." "Thafs all"!" "Wonderful." "This is so embarrassing." "Come on sir!" "Have another drink, sir?" "Then, who will carry me back home tonight?" "We'|| take you, sir." "|t's quite late, isn't it?" "No, I am alright." "lam alright." "Don't you have a home?" "Not really." "Want to have a drink?" "Now?" " Yeah." "Here?" " You ask too many questions." "Come on." "Come." "So...what's wrong?" "You look worried." "You rarely go home at night." "Whafs up?" "No, |.." "|'m fed up of living as a tenant." "|sn't this the last month of your probation?" "Yeah!" "So maybe next month you can rent your own home." "|'m sure you'|| find something reasonable here." "I don't know." "Actua||y...| have a loan to repay." "Money that I borrowed from my father." "But ifs your dad." "You can return it a few months later." "What difference does it make?" "He's your dad after all." "What if someone sees us?" " No one comes here." "Thafs why I come here." "There are no cameras here, So relax!" "Have a sip, you'|| feel more relaxed." "My editor Namita.." "..she'|| be really furious if she finds out." "Your editor Namita, she's so boring." "Really." "She doesn't have a life." "She's always in the office." "Thafs true." "Sure?" " Go for it." "Thank you." "You're okay, right?" "What happened?" "Have you.." "..never been with a woman before?" "Someone there?" " No one there." "Great day today for gay rights in India." "The Allahabad High Court rules in favor of Professor Srinivas Siras." "AU will have to pay." "Hey, good job buddy." " Thank you, Anuj." "We won, man." "Party?" "I won't let you off so easy." "Deepu." "Karan, this is Deepu." "Congratulations, Deepu." "Great job on Siras." " Thank you so much, sir." "Pleasure meeting you." "Actually, I should thank Namita." "Just take a compliment." "This isn't over yet." "You still have to break an exclusive with Siras." "Sure." "Because its front page material." " Yeah, of course." "Lovely jacket sir." "By the way, Deepu, you're no more on the wire." "Thank you." "What?" "Get back to work." "Hello." "Congratulations, sir." "Finally!" "Who is this?" " Deepu, sir." "Deepu Sebastian." "Oh, Deepu." "Thank you." "So tell me...when can I do a story with you?" "Hold on, let me lower the television volume." "Sure, sure." "Yeah." " Yes, sir." "So when are you joining the university again?" "As soon as the court orders will be sent to AU." "When?" "Tomorrow morning." "|'ve sent a person to Allahabad to fetch it." "Nice." "So whafs next sir?" "What is your plan?" "Next?" "|'m thinking of shifting to America after I retire." "People like me can live a life of dignity out there." "Don't say that, sir." "You're very well respected here as well." "Okay, Deepu.." "I won't let you interview me over the phone." "You must come and meet me." "Sure, of course, sir." "Whenever you say." "Can I come tomorrow?" "No." "Day after." "We'|| meet in my department at the university." "Sure, done." "So lefs party in your department day after!" "We'|| celebrate." "lam really sleepy." "lam hanging up now." "Sorry." "Yeah, yeah..." "Goodnight, sir." "You are a good boy, Deepu." "Goodnight, sir." "Going somewhere?" "Yeah. |'m vacating my room." "You have to give notice." " I just did." "Aunty." "Sorry for any inconvenience." "Listen..." "did you switch the motor on?" "Yes." "Fine." " Thank you." "How old was he?" " 20." "Who else do you have in your family?" "I have two more daughters." "Did any government official contact you?" "No one did." "Did the police..." " Nothing." "Can you...p|ease.." ""please calm down." "What is your name?" " Sunita." "Deepu, there's a message for you." "Tell me something about your son.." " |t's from Aligarh." "What now?" "How did this happen?" "He shou|d've talked to me." "I just spoke to him last night.." "He could have told me.." "Now...|.." "|t's okay." "|t's okay." "Be strong." "|t's okay." "Get back!" "Sir, we're from the press." "The press." "I said get back!" "Deepuy" "Deepuy" "'|'m thinking of shifting to America after I retire.'" "'People like me can live a life of dignity out there.'" "'Who is it?" "'"