New Delhi, Sep 6: Gay sex among consenting adults is not an offence, the Supreme Court ordered on Thursday, reading down a British-era section 377 of the penal code that penalises people for their sexual orientation.
Here is who said what:
We have finally got justice. We are finally 'azaad in azaad Hind', says Ashok Row Kavi, LGBT rights activist and founder of Humsafar Trust on Supreme Court legalises homosexuality
BJP MPSubramanian Swamy unhappy with today's judgment on Section 377, has said that there is no finality in Supreme Court's judgment today. "This judgment can be overturned by a 7 judge bench," he said.
'So pleased to learn that the SupremeCourt has ruled against criminalising sexual acts in private. This decision vindicates my stand on Section 377& on exactly the same grounds of privacy, dignity &constitutional freedoms. It shames those BJP MPs who vociferously opposed me in LS,' tweets Sashi Tharoor
Political leaders, bollywood celebrities, authors and activists are all expressing elation on Supreme Court's judgment on Section 377, decriminalising gay sex.
'India is a country where the culture changes every 100km. Accepting diversity has to be the core value of every Indian and frankly is the only way India will survive and thrive. Scrapping #Section377 is a step in that direction. It is a good day for India,' says Chetan Bhagat