Bollywood reacts to Supreme Courts refusal to decriminalize gay sex

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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USA: Free $30 Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…Bollywood reacts to Supreme Courts refusal to decriminalize gay sexZoya Akhtar: "I am completely shocked. This is a serious violation of human rights. We are expected to allow a British colonial law which the British themselves have long discarded! I can't believe marital rape is not punishable. But sex between two consenting adults is. Incredible!"

Shabana Azmi: "I am shocked by the judgement. I had actually started believing that gay rights are given in our so-called modern democratic society. Upholding article 377 is undemocratic, and a violation of human rights. The honourable Supreme Court says that the Parliament which is the constitutional body that makes laws, should scrap it. Well, in that case Parliament MUST scrap this archaic law. How on earth can we criminalize individuals for their sexual preference?"

Celina Jaitly: "Needless to say I am shocked and so is the entire LGBT community worldwide at this news. We regret that the bench has betrayed the Supreme Court's track record in expanding rights for all. The decision is contradictory to our basic fundamental rights. 377 is in contradiction of our 3 major fundamental rights because 377 violates: The Fundamental Right to Equality (Article 14 of the Constitution), the Fundamental Right against Discrimination(Article 15) and the Fundamental Right to Life (Article 21) since that includes a right to health and it was preventing HIV/AIDS work. Naz India joins a shameful list of cases where SC has removed rights given by a lower court. Even SC judges have said the two following cases are a blot on the SC's track record and Naz India will be too: (oADM Jabalpur vs SS Shukla – suspended Habeas Corpus during emergency oGian Kaur vs State of Punjab – makes attempt to commit suicide a crime)

The fight for justice is never easy and I don't believe in giving up. Hope keeps the world alive and going. We will file a review petition asking the SC to look at the decision again and in view of it's important to consider letting it be heard by a larger bench. We hope the government and SC will take note of the outrage in the country and across the world at this negative decision. My heart aches for LGBT… However I know that the rainbow will rise again."

Nandita Das: "I am in the middle of my Spanish film shoot, so I don't know all the details of what happened and have only a few minutes in-between shots, but I want to express my deep disappointment with this shockingly regressive verdict by the Supreme Court. Just when we started having faith in our judiciary, especially the SC for upholding many progressive legislations, this came as a rude shock. We were so hopeful after the Delhi High Court that had repealed section 377 and we thought we had finally managed to come to speed with our archaic laws of 19th century. But this is a real set back that the SC has chosen to pass the buck to the parliament. But the good thing is that this will create a lot of public discourse around the subject which will not only put the required pressure on the legislation but will also impact the mindset, the prejudice, the myths around homosexuality. Let it all come out of the closet, after all those who hold important offices are not without prejudice and conditionings!"

Pooja Bhatt: "Tragic news. Though I feel strongly that parliament will review this decision soon."

Pooja Bedi: "There is so much hate, anger, violence, sickness and disease in the world, and we make loving each other illegal? It is so sad that what happens lovingly and passionately and consensually between two adults in the privacy of their bedroom is considered a crime."

Vishal Dadlani: "With due respects to the processes of the law, I don't think what two consensual adults do in their bedroom is anyone's business."

Article written by staff at Bollywood Hungama. Read more

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