LOVE IS LOVE
Bollywood celebrates victory for LGBTQ
As the Supreme Court recently passed a landmark judgement on Section 377 by decriminalising homosexuality, the Bollywood fraternity hailed the decision.
From filmmakers Karan Johar and Hansal Mehta to actors Aamir Khan, among other renowned celebrities took to the social media to express their joy over the judgment.
Karan, who in his book ‘An Unsuitable Boy’, said he didn’t feel the need to scream out his sexual orientation “because I live in a country where I could possibly be jailed for saying this”, called the apex court’s judgment “historical”.
“So proud today. Decriminalising homosexuality and abolishing Section 377 is a huge thumbs-up for humanity and equal rights. The country gets its oxygen back,” tweeted Karan, one of India’s most popular filmmakers.
Abhishek and John, who posed as homosexuals in the movie Dostana, are also happy for the LGBTQ community.
“Well done India,” Abhishek tweeted.
While John wrote: “Stand tall in honour with pride. LGBTQ.”
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta, whose film Aligarh made a crucial statement on a gay professor, wrote: “The verdict is clear. Two consenting adults irrespective of sex, religion, cast and gender cannot be rendered criminals by the law.”
“We as a society need to understand this before bringing bestiality, paedophiles etc as a counter to today’s landmark judgement,” he added.
He also congratulated Aligarh writer Apurva Asrani “on being an important voice in this fight to gain justice for a community that has long been marginalised by law and society”. “His stand is vindicated. Aligarh stands vindicated by the courts. The ball is in our court now,” Mehta added.
Asrani wrote: “At the stroke of the mid-day hour, as the conscience of many slept, India’s LGBTQ awoke to light and freedom. This moment came 71 years too late history, 71 yrs after our breth- ren attained freedom; but the soul of a community, long suppressed, has found utterance. Congratulations!”
Actor Swara Bhaskar, known for fearlessly expressing her mind on socio-political issues, wrote: “Good on you Honourable Supreme Court and thank you. I hope the citizens of India are listening. ‘Majoritarian views and popular morality cannot dictate constitutional rights. We have to vanquish prejudice, embrace inclusion and ensure equal rights.’”
Here’s what other stars tweeted: Aamir Khan: 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 its duty, and now we must do ours.
Farhan Akhtar: Bye bye 377. Thank you Supreme Court. No more dicrimination. Love is love.