Attaboy Mr Ramadoss!

One of the front page news items in the TOI today took me completely by surprise. I had all but formed an unfavourable opinion of our Union Minister for Health, Mr Ambumani Ramadoss. In the last few years he has caught on my attention several times, but most notably for his stand on two matters.
The first concerns the depiction of smoking in films, which he wanted to remove altogether irrespective of content and suitability to the story, a rather bizarre take on the matter. Needless to say the film community was united in its protest to the idea. (I also remember him publicly advising Shahrukh Khan to give up smoking and to be a more responsible actor, like Aamir, referring apparently to Om Shanti Om as opposed to Taare Zameen Par. Now I am no fan of Shahrukh the actor, but what he does in his personal life is his business. And why make any such comparisons? Aamir has his place in the industry as does Shahrukh as does Govinda as does the last extra dancing behind these leading men. Maybe he should launch a tirade against Govinda’s pelvis thrusts as well? There I might even support him!)
The second was a public spat with the Director of the AIIMS, Dr. P Venugopal. I don’t remember it too well, and in any case it was difficult to react to. Enough details about such cases are often not available in the media, to really form an informed and unbiased opinion, and even if they were, is it really possible to do as much reading and research about every story one reads in the papers? But given the negative light I already saw the honourable Minister in, courtesy his earlier stand, I remember sympathizing with the good doctor who was Mr Ramadoss’ target, and being more than a little pleased when he was reinstated in his position in spite of Mr Ramadoss’ efforts at dislodging him.
But his latest comments about legalizing homosexuality come as a pleasant surprise. Is this the same man talking? It was while addressing a gathering during the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City that Mr Ramadoss spoke about Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalizes homosexuality, and said that it must be repealed. Such a statement, welcome as it is, is sure to invite public ire, and have long term political consequences.
I hope he sticks to his stand in the face of all that he will surely have to face. For now all I can say is, attaboy!