The Indian delegate to Mr Gay World 2015‚ which takes place in Knysna on Sunday‚ has withdrawn due to threats to him and his family in his home country.

In a statement‚ the organisers said: “Following the introduction of the delegates on social media‚ the father was hounded by religious leaders. The family decided it is best to leave their home for their own safety and they have since gone to ground.   “India‚ one of the world’s largest democracies reinstated a colonial-era law banning gay sex in December 2013. Gay sex is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment under this law.”

The delegate‚ whom organisers decided not to name in the statement‚ is “a part-time model and fashion designing post-graduate from Brisbane and works as an executive for a private firm in Dubai”.

Three years ago‚ Zimbabwe's representative was forced to withdraw after his family received death threats‚ Namibia's Wendelinus Hamutenya had to be hospitalised after being attacked prior to the event and the Ethiopian delegate was reportedly disinherited by his wealthy family.

Mr Gay World 2015 managing director Coenie Kukkuk said: "It is unfortunate that Lesbian‚ Gay‚ Bisexual and Transsexual rights are not accepted everywhere in the world.

“Now‚ in 2015 we have this situation with the delegate from India. We had no option but to accept his withdrawal and wish him all the strength needed to weather this storm. He was fully aware that there are risks and accepted it by entering‚ but to proceed under these circumstances is too much to expect from a delegate where his family is drawn into it.”