Activists hail Supreme Court review order

The Supreme Court’s order to re-examine its verdict of criminalising sexual activity between same sex consenting adults under Section 377 of the IPC was widely welcomed by activists on Tuesday.

Citing that the order has brought a great “sense of relief” to the whole community, gay rights activist and executive director of Naz foundation Anjali Gopalan, who had filed the petition, said that the court has given the LGBT community a “ray of hope”. “We are happy of the fact that the court did not throw the curative petition out and referred it, which means a lot for us. It has given us a ray of hope that at least the court is willing to listen to our arguments again,” she told this newspaper.

Ms Gopalan said that hopes have been raised and there is a great sense of relief among the community. “Before the order, one had mixed feelings. I was a bit nervous as there was no way of predicting anything. But I am glad that the order has brought a great sense of relief. People are happy and feel that their voices have been heard,” she added.

The gay rights supporters started celebrating outside the Supreme Court after the court agreed to re-examine a colonial-era law that criminalises homosexual acts with members of the community hugging each other. One of the activists offered free hugs for everyone with a message printed on the T-shirt which read: “Harmless Hugs”.

Welcoming the order, transgender rights activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, said, “Actually the court could have struck it down and asked the government to react on it to assert that democracy prevails in the country and the right of expression, right to life and dignity is still there. But it is interesting how the matter has been referred to a five-judge Bench.” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also welcomed the SC decision and hoped that the court will take a note of the events across the globe, including India, and restore the dignity and honour of the LGBT community.

Lyricist Javed Akhtar said homosexual relationships are a reality and the society needs to accept that.

“You cannot pretend that there is no elephant in the living room. It is a reality and most of the societies in the world have accepted it and you have to accept it. You cannot pretend there is no homosexuality and why should you pretend ” he said. Human Rights group Amnesty International also termed the Supreme Court order as a positive development.

The SC referred the curative plea seeking re-examination of its verdict criminalising homosexuality to a five-judge Constitution Bench.