section 377

Actor Ankit Bhatia, known for his role in Bhagya Lakshmi, celebrates Holi with enthusiasm, enjoying beach parties and the festive atmosphere. Ankit cherishes the festival for its vibrant colors and joyous spirit, seeing it as a reminder of brotherhood and prosperity. He emphasizes the importance of spreading love and happiness during Holi to foster unity.

A delegation of Khap leaders met Haryana Women Commission chairperson Renu Bhatia, urging a reduction in the marriage age for girls from 18 to 16 and opposing live-in relationships. They also demanded amendments to the Love Marriage Act, advocating parental consent and restrictions on same-gotra unions. Concerns were raised about homosexuality and inheritance issues in live-in relationships. Bhatia assured them she would discuss their concerns with the Chief Minister.

The Supreme Court today in a historic verdict decriminalised section 377 of the IPC. The section 377 referred to 'unnatural offences' and says whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life.

A five-judge SC bench on Thursday by unanimous decision decriminalised section 377 making gay sex legal. CJI Dipak Misra and Justice AM Khanwilkar pronounced the first judgment saying a consensual sexual relationship between same-gender adults in private does not fall foul of section 377 IPC.

After stalwarts like Mukul Rohatgi and Arvind Datar had finished and when everyone thought the main arguments had been made, two young lawyers — Menaka Guruswamy and Jayna Kothari — lit up the courtroom with their arguments on how the Victorian-era section 377 robbed the LGBTQ community of the right to equality.

The final countdown for the likely decriminalisation of gay sex among consenting adults got underway on Thursday with the Supreme Court 90 minutes away from reserving its verdict, refusing to buy an argument that a “majority opposed legalising homosexuality”.

The ministry of health and family welfare is working with the home ministry to repeal section 377 that outlaws homosexuality.

In January, soon after the Supreme Court upheld section 377 of the IPC, a young man became a victim of extortion and blackmail.

Delhi High Court's order acknowledging the rights of homosexuals has put the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government in a piquant situation.

Akey challenge before the Modi government on the legislative front is to counter the apprehension that he would make the Indian democracy more illiberal.

Though only the verdict would unfold what holds in store for the LGBTQ community, the loud hints dropped by the Supreme Court during the days of hearings point towards relief from the rigour of section 377 for consensual adult gay sex. Two years ago, a petition was filed alleging that section 377 violated the right to privacy and personal liberty.

The Samajwadi Party on Thursday said it would oppose any amendments to section 377 if it came to Parliament for discussion.

Echoing the sentiments of the LGBT community, some Muslim groups have opposed the Supreme Court’s recent order which recriminalizes homosexuality. The groups have demanded scrapping of the draconian section 377.

The Supreme Court indicated on Tuesday that it would focus closely on the question whether section 377 of the IPC, which makes gay sex an offence, should be decriminalised, raising hope of speedy proceedings that could end the lingering and contentious issue of LGBTQ rights.

The Supreme Court’s verdict, which decriminalised part of section 377 of the IPC, could pave the way for legislative reforms for LGBTQ community members enabling them to enjoy other rights, such as marrying a person of their choice, adoption of children, guardianship rights and right to inherit property from a partner.

In a landmark judgment on Thursday, the Supreme Court legalised consensual sexual relations among gay adults by partially striking down section 377 - a momentous event, perhaps the first step towards the gradual embrace of the LGBTQ community and hesitant acquiescence of alternative sexuality.

In Lucknow, Saleem Kidwai's is literally the lone voice that fights to decriminalize gay sex and demands freedom of choice for the city's LGBT community.