In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court on Thursday, 6 September, decriminalised homosexuality by declaring Section 377 – the penal provision which criminalised gay sex – as "manifestly arbitrary".
Delivering separate but concurring judgments, a five-judge bench of the apex court said it is the constitutional and not social morality which will prevail.
Celebrations started across the country after the SC decriminalised homosexuality.
As the five-judge bench declared its judgment and the celebrations broke out across the country, microblogging website Twitter was no different. As tweets poured in from all sections, our celebrities were no different, with Richa Chadha, celebrity chef Rita Dalmia and others appreciating the judiciary’s role in arriving at this landmark judgment.
I am so happy for my LGBTQ family. Over the decades, you have worked hard for this. This is the rainbow we all needed. I am so happy, we are all celebrating!Richa Chaddha, Actor
Reactions and wishes poured in from Pakistan too. Young journalists from the country congratulated India on the landmark judgement.
Congratulations for striking down 377. It’s a landmark achievement. It is high time we give homosexuals the rights they deserve.I am wearing all the bangles that I could find to celebrate the rainbow theme.Ammara Ahmad, Pakistan Journalist.
While reading his judgment on Section 377 of the IPC, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra noted, “I am what I am. So take me as I am. No one can escape from their individuality”.
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