Karan Johar was the first celebrity to welcome the Supreme Court's landmark judgement abolishing Section 377, under which homosexuality was a criminal offence, in a tweet posted minutes after the verdict was read out by Chief Justice Dipak Misra. "Historical judgement. So proud today. Decriminalising homosexuality and abolishing #Section377 is a huge thumbs up for humanity and equal rights. The country gets its oxygen back," tweeted the 46-year-old filmmaker. His post was followed by those from Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh, Sonam Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Hrithik Roshan, Twinkle Khanna, Abhishek Bachchan and others.
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! pic.twitter.com/ZOXwKmKDp5
- Karan Johar (@karanjohar) September 6, 2018
Aamir Khan posted a video clip of his show Satyamev Jayate, in which he discussed about 'accepting alternative sexualities,' and tweeted:
We thank the Supreme Court for its decision to strike down article 377. It is a historic day for people who believe in equal rights for all. The judiciary has done it's duty, and now we must do ours. https://t.co/zzxc4kfNxS
- Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) September 6, 2018
Love is love Such a momentous day in the history of our country!!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!! #Section377 #PrideIndia pic.twitter.com/3TbP1pnIxd
- Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) September 6, 2018
A huge step forward today for love and the right to love. #Section377 #377Verdict
- Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) September 6, 2018
Soha Ali Khan, currently holidaying in Maldives, shared a picture of daughter Inaaya playing and wrote, "There is light at the end of the tunnel."
ONE LOVE #377verdict pic.twitter.com/7f0MuFhHCk
— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) September 6, 2018
Crying tears of joy for the lgbtqi community. One day there won't be any labels and we will all live in utopia. pic.twitter.com/veQe1S92FD
- Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) September 6, 2018
This is the india I want to live in. Not one filled with hate, bigotry,sexism homophobia and intolerance. THIS is the India I love.
- Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) September 6, 2018
Sonam's father Anil Kapoor declared it as the "best news of the day."
It's about time! #LoveWins now and forever! Best news of the day! #Section377 #nodiscrimination #equality pic.twitter.com/D6widsZSp1
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) September 6, 2018
A law implemented in 1860 is now abolished. A day for our entire nation to live with pride. Bye bye #sec377 #lovealllovefree #historic
- Varun MAUJI Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) September 6, 2018
Sanity prevails for once we can believe we have some sensible decision makers and lawmaker s available to this generation. #Section377 gone with the wind.
- Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) September 6, 2018
What a wonderful day! Goodbye #Section377 https://t.co/etSw3VRCZU
- Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) September 6, 2018
Love always win, no matter what. That's the magic and power of love. What a huge step forward, so proud. #OneLove #loveislove #LoveWins #RIPSection377 pic.twitter.com/pL0kdHZqvN
— Athiya Shetty (@theathiyashetty) September 6, 2018
Richa Chadha, who told NDTV - "I'm so excited today. It's a glorious day, homosexuality has been decriminalised. So happy for my LGBTQ fam. You've worked very hard for this over the decades and this is the rainbow we needed and I'm so happy we are celebrating" - also shared a wonderful post with her friends on set.
#allsmiles #pride #loveislove #Section377Verdict #SupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/X1Fhr2dbds
— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) September 6, 2018
Referencing Dostana, Kirron Kher posted this tweet, which won Abhishek Bachchan's heart.
Haha. This is legendary!!! #dostana #Article377 https://t.co/hYKDZt3P4S
— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) September 6, 2018
Abhishek also shared this on Instagram.
Vaani Kapoor shared a GIF:
Which are the other remnants still keeping our society in the dark ages? #Section377Verdict #evolution
- Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) September 6, 2018
Rajkummar Rao, Swara Bhasker, Preity Zinta, John Abraham, Shilpa Shetty, Farhan Akhtar, Konkona Sen Sharma, Dia Mirza, Aditi Rao Hydari, Vicky Kaushal, Ayushmann Khurrana also posted about the verdict. Read the Twitter reactions here:
It is every human beings inalienable right to live with choosing how he /she wants to.. with dignity and no prejudice. Really happy with this progressive judgement that will be life altering for so many. #Historicjudgement #Section377 pic.twitter.com/m8TRL22d43
- SHILPA SHETTY KUNDRA (@TheShilpaShetty) September 6, 2018
Historic verdict by Supreme Court today. #377
- Rajkummar Rao (@RajkummarRao) September 6, 2018
Bye bye 377. Thank you #SupremeCourt #abouttime #nomorediscrimination #loveislove @MardOfficial
- Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) September 6, 2018
Stand tall in honor with pride #LGBTQ pic.twitter.com/WnehZNjBMT
- John Abraham (@TheJohnAbraham) September 6, 2018
"If you have a heart you should be free to love who you want." So Happy to hear that the Supreme Court of India has abolished #section377 decriminalising Homosexuality #equality #lgbtrights #nodiscrimination #ting pic.twitter.com/47yEBdkul7
- Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) September 6, 2018
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 pic.twitter.com/grA64TTB3w
- Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) September 6, 2018
We won! Thank you SC! #377IsHistory #pride
- Konkona Sensharma (@konkonas) September 6, 2018
"Section 377 is arbitrary. The LGBT community possesses rights like others. Majoritarian views and popular morality cannot dictate constitutional rights. We have to vanquish prejudice, embrace inclusion and ensure equal rights."
Well done well done well done ! It's about time! ! #pride #loveislove
- TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) September 6, 2018
Equality for India!!! Equal love. Equal rights. #RIPSection377 #Pride #LoveIsLove
- Dia Mirza (@deespeak) September 6, 2018
In a statement, Dia Mirza added to what she said in her tweet: "Supreme Court restores my faith in our people yet again. Proud that my country believes in and upholds equality.Two consenting adults irrespective of sex, religion, cast and gender cannot be rendered criminals by the law."
"#Section377 decriminalized. Super happy for my friends and the entire LGBTQ community. Pride in my heart and pride all over the country," tweeted Aditi Rao Hydari.
- Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) September 6, 2018
RIP #Section377
- Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) September 6, 2018
The new sunshine of this day is that of a progressive India. Love all!
Huge Congratulations to the lawyers & activists who worked hard for years to get this passed. Huge respect for our Honourable Judiciary #Section377
- Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) September 6, 2018
Pride
- Huma Qureshi (@humasqureshi) September 6, 2018
I am so beyond proud of India and the Supreme Court for this amazing step forward. We are all Gods children whether straight, gay or lesbian. #GayPrideIndia #ProudIndian pic.twitter.com/Ke9XvkN9vY
— Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) September 6, 2018
Congratulations India! Thank you, Supreme Court! This is amazing! The law has no place in the bedrooms of consenting adults! Finally #AllLoveIsEqual Good riddance #Sec377 ! @india.today @akashkolluru pic.twitter.com/i9KuTlME14
- VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) September 6, 2018
This morning, a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Misra reversed its own 2013 decision and delivered a spectacular win for India's LGBT+ community. Homosexuality is no longer an offence, the Supreme Court decided, striking down a controversial ban on gay sex that dates from the British Raj. "We have to bid adieu to prejudices and to empower all citizens," read out Chief Justice Misra from the verdict, which declared Section 377 'irrational and arbitrary.' The verdict also makes it clear that homosexuality is not a mental disorder.
Section 377, which carried a jail term of up to 10 years, was challenged by five petitioners - Bharatnatyam dancer Navtej Singh Johar, journalist Sunil Mehra, restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, Neemrana hotel chain co-founder Aman Nath and businesswoman Ayesha Kapur.
In 2013, the Supreme Court overturned a Delhi High Court order scrapping Section 377 on the grounds that the job was that of Parliament and not the courts. This year, the Supreme Court said it "cannot wait for a majoritarian government" to decide on enacting, amending or striking down a law if it violates fundamental rights.
