Shortly after Union Law Minister Sadananda Gowda reportedly hinted - and soon denied - scrapping the controversial Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalises homosexuality, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday said "homos" are genetically handicapped and claimed it to be the party line.

"I think the law minister was misquoted. Our party position has been that homosexuality is a genetic disorder," Swamy told ANI. That prompted a Twitter user, Hocus @GentleGawker, to ask: "@Swamy39 Sir, better word is genetic variation. Nothing wrong. Just like tall and short. They deserve all respect."

The controversial BJP leader's reply: "@GentleGawker : Issue is not respect. We respect handicapped persons. Homos are genetically handicapped."

Earlier, Gowda was reported to have said that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government was considering scrapping Section 377, which has been a longstanding demand by the LGBT activists in the country. But he soon denied making the statement, claiming he was misquoted.

"It is totally misquoted. When I was asked about the judgment that was given by the US court, I said that it is not an easy task in our country. So, the people of that country might have accepted it but here it has to be widely debated. Only then can something be done. Otherwise, it is not an easy task. So, we have no idea of scrapping or doing anything about (Section) 377," Gowda said.

"Of course, there was a debate with regards to the transgender issue on the floor of the House in the Rajya Sabha. That has been discussed and debated. Nothing else was said," the Law Minister added.

In 2013, the Supreme Court had overturned a Delhi High Court verdict that effectively scrapped Section 377, sparking massive protests by gay rights activists. Following the uproar, the apex court put the onus on the government, saying it is free to bring a legislation to scrap the section.

Last week, the US Supreme Court ruled that marriage equality was a nationwide right and asked all the 50 states to recognise same-sex marriages. The ruling has reignited debates on gay rights in India.