'A landmark day': Priyanka Chopra celebrates 2 years of decriminalisation of Section 377

It’s been two years since Supreme Court passed a historic judgment of decriminalizing homosexuality and abolishing Section 377 for individuals belonging to LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer) community. Global Icon Priyanka Chopra celebrated two years of landmark judgment by sharing a beautiful picture from one of LGBT rallies. While captioning post, actress wrote that September 6, 2018, was a landmark day for every Indian citizen.

Priyanka Chopra celebrates 2 years of abolishing Section 377

Furr, Aitraaz actress wrote that decision was also an aspiring victory of LGBTQA community. At last, she concluded post with “#Section377verdict and #LoveIsLove.” Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment on this day two years back unanimously struck down part of Section 377 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) which criminalized gay sex, saying that it violated constitutional right to equality and dignity. In 2018, Chief Justice of India, Dipak Mishra read out judgment and said that Section 377 is irrational and arbitrary. sexual orientation of an individual is natural and discrimination on basis of sexual orientation is a violation of freedom of expression. 

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Under 1861 law, gay sex was punishable by up to 10 years in jail. According to reports, five high-profile petitioners - Bharatnatyam dancer Navtej Singh Johar, journalist Sunil Mehra, restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, Neemrana hotel chain co-founder Aman Nath and businesswoman Ayesha Kapur - argued that Section 377 violates rights enshrined in Constitution. According to reports, in 2001, a New Delhi based NGO called Naz Foundation that works in field of HIV/AIDS prevention had challenged section in Delhi high court which passed out judgment in favour and said that law does t apply to consent adults. Later, a group of people challenged order in apex court.

Followed by this, supreme court bench, headed by justice GS Singhvi, reversed order in 2013 and declared homosexuality a criminal offense again. Also, y levied decision-making rights upon parliament and asked m to take a call on scrapping law. Since n, several petitions had been filed challenging order, and protests against section 377 gared momentum on streets with people filling petitions against obsolete law.

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