[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Supreme Court on Thursday, September 6, 2018, decriminalised a portion of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), a colonial era adjunct that criminalises private consensual sexual acts between same sex adults.

The verdict by a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misrawas applauded by a wide section, with the United Nations also coming out with a statement hailing the judgment. Jubilant gay rights activists celebrated on the lawns of the court. Shouts of ‘Hip Hip Hurray’ echoed on the premises, reported The Hindu.

Delivering the landmark judgment, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said: “I am what I am. So take me as I am.”

The apexcourt overruled its own 2013 decision and said Section 377, a British-era ban on consensual gay sex, is irrational, indefensible and arbitrary.

“No one can escape from their individuality,” said Justice Misra.CJI Dipak Misra, speaking for himself and Justice A M Khanwilkar, says denial of self-expression is akin to inviting death

The judges dwelt upon various philosophical and Constitutional aspects in writing the historic judgment that called for a shift in the society and attitudes. “We have to bid adieu to prejudices and to empower all citizens,” the Chief Justice said. Homosexuality, said the judges, is not a mental disorder.

Section 377 banned “carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal”, which was interpreted to refer to homosexual sex. Under the 1861 law, gay sex was punishable by up to 10 years in jail.

The Chief Justice said: “Respect for individual choice is the essence of liberty; the LGBT community possesses equal rights under the constitution. Sexual orientation is a biological phenomenon; any discrimination on these grounds is violative of fundamental rights”.

History owes an apology to LGBT persons for ostracisation, discrimination, the court said.

So far as a consensual sexual act in private is concerned, it is neither harmful nor contagious to society, said the court. The society cannot dictate sexual relationship between consenting adults as it is a private affair and denial of right to sexual orientation is akin to denial of right to privacy, said the court.

Courts must protect the dignity of an individual as the right to live with dignity is recognised as a fundamental right.

Any kind of sexual activity with animals shall remain penal offence under Section 377 of the IPC, the judgment held.

The SC noted that India is signatory of international treaties on rights of LGBT and it is obligatory to adhere to treaties[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1536231074243{border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #e5e5e5 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]The United Nations welcomed the judgment and said it was the first step towards ensuring full fundamental rights to LGBTI persons.

“The United Nations in India welcomes the landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of India striking down a key component of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalized specific sexual acts between adults, a law dating back to British colonial rule that has targeted in particular lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals and communities.

“Sexual orientation and gender expression form an integral part of an individual’s identity the world over, and violence, stigma and discrimination based on these attributes constitute an egregious violation of human rights. LGBTI persons across the world continue to be the targets of violent attacks and are affected by multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination based on age, gender, ethnicity, disability and social status.

“The UN in India sincerely hopes that the court’s ruling will be the first step towards guaranteeing the full range of fundamental rights to LGBTI persons. We also hope that the judgment will boost efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination against LGBTI persons in all areas of social, economic, cultural and political activity, thereby ensuring a truly inclusive society. The focus must now be on ensuring access to justice, including remedy; effective investigations of acts of violence and discrimination; and effective access to economic, social and cultural rights.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The ban was challenged by five high-profile petitioners who said they were living in fear of being punished.The petitioners are, Bharatnatyam dancer Navtej Singh Johar, journalist Sunil Mehra, restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, Neemrana hotel chain co-founder Aman Nath and businesswoman Ayesha Kapur.

Activists had been fighting the ban since the 1990s, suffering several court reverses before the verdict today that sparked celebrations among lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender groups across the country.

Reactions:

Congress welcomes verdict

“We join the people of India & the LGBTQIA+ community in their victory over prejudice. We welcome the progressive & decisive verdict from the Supreme Court & hope this is the beginning of a more equal & inclusive society,” tweeted the Congress’ official handle.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, “Supreme Court verdict on #Section377 is momentous. An age-old colonial law, that was an anachronism in today’s modern times, ends restoring the fundamental rights & negating discrimination based on sexual orientation. It’s an imp step forward towards a liberal, tolerant society.”

Decision vindicates my stand: Shashi Tharoor

“So pleased to learn that the Supreme Court 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,” tweeted Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor.

Bollywood celebrities hail judgment

Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar tweeted, “Historical judgment!!!! So proud today! Decriminalising homosexuality and abolishing #Section377 is a huge thumbs up for humanity and equal rights! The country gets its oxygen back!”

Actor Swara Bhasker also supported the judgment. She tweeted, “Congratulations to all the activists and petitioners on #SupremeCourt judgement scrapping #Section377 Your perseverance just made #India a freer place for everyone ! #LoveIsLove #Pride #377Verdict #377Scrapped Three cheers for the #SupremeCourt.”

“Bye bye 377,” tweeted filmmaker and actor Farhan Akhtar. “Thank you #SupremeCourt #abouttime #nomorediscrimination #loveislove.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]