SC on 377: From Anupam Kher to Kalki, celebs upset with verdict

New Delhi: Celebrities like Madhur Bhandarkar, Kunal Kohli and Shruti Haasan have strongly disapproved of the Supreme Court’s verdict that holds same-gender consensual sex as an offence. The verdict, they feel, has pushed people to the dinosaur era. The Supreme Court bench of Justice GS Singhvi and Justice SJ Mukhopadhayay, Wednesday setting aside the Delhi High Court verdict of 2009, said there was no constitutional room for change in the Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). [caption id=“attachment_1282081” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] Section 377 of the IPC holds that same-gender sexual relationship is against the order of the nature and is an offence. The apex court upheld the constitutional validity of the section. The verdict has left many stars unhappy. Here’s what they had to say: Madhur Bhandarkar: Just when we thought we are looking into the future, comes a judgment that treats us like we are in the stone age. The disappointment is justified. Chetan Bhagat: What?! Consensual gay sex ruled illegal in 2014? Shows you how badly India needs new young leaders with a modern outlook. Shruti Haasan: 11.12.13 a day that reminds us how blatant regressing and oppressing someone has become — plan b move bedroom to another planet and time. Sudhir Mishra: The decision declaring gay consensual sex illegal betrays a primitive Victorian mind. It is certainly not Indian. Kunal Kohli: On 11-12-13 Supreme Court goes back to the medieval ages with Section 377. Anupam Kher: We obviously don’t believe in equal rights even in the times when we send Mangalayan to Mars. Kalki Koechlin: Supreme Court’s job is to uphold the right and freedom of every individual, not to decide what is culturally acceptable or not. In this case they failed. Shruti Seth: So while the world is trying to legalise gay marriage, here’s what we’re doing as a nation. Such a disgrace! Riteish Deshmukh: Supreme Mis-judgement. Nikhil Advani: Welcome to the medieval ages! It was only a matter of time. Neha Dhupia: How can love be illegal? Rahul Bose: So much for those believing the judiciary is ’the last bastion of common sense’ in this country. Vinay Pathak: Supreme Court - Straight or scared! Milap Zaveri: Nothing supreme about the court’s decision. Shocked and disappointed at the anti-gay verdict. Shirish Kunder: Personally, I’ve no problem with same-sex relationships, as long as it’s not compulsory. Vir Das: Today is 11.12.13. Unless you work in our Supreme Court, in which case it’s the year 1826. Sandhya Mridul: The courts are unfortunately only following the law of the land, which are as old as the dinosaurs. Blame the legislature more than Supreme Court! Hansal Mehta: Does India not have a single gay judge? Or does being gay mean that you can only be unfairly judged? Siddharth: India is a bigot nation. I pray that every person who tries to deny another person their rights gets IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome). Bigots beware. Richa Chadda: The Supreme Court criminalises love, again. Sad day. Nachiket Barve: The problems of this world are because of what happens ‘without consent’ rather than what happens between ‘consenting adults’! wake up! Celina Jaitly: I cannot believe Supreme Court’s decision. I have been in shock since it came. Such a contradiction of democracy. IANS