Agree more with the High Court, matter of personal freedom: Rahul Gandhi on gay rights
Following are the top reactions on the Supreme Court ruling:
- Rahul Gandhi, Congress Vice President: My personal view is that these are matters of personal freedom and I think I would agree more with High Court. (Read: Agree more with the High Court, says Rahul Gandhi on gay rights)
- Sonia Gandhi, Congress President: We are proud that our culture has always been an inclusive and tolerant one... I hope that Parliament will address this issue and uphold the Constitutional guarantee of life and liberty to all citizens of India, including those directly affected by this judgment.
- Kapil Sibal, Law Minister: The government is considering all options to restore the High Court verdict on Section 377. We must decriminalise adult consensual relationships. (Read: Government promises urgent steps)
- P Chidambaram, Finance Minister: We have gone back to 1860. The UPA government will look at all options. The legislative option takes time but I am not ruling it out. (Read more)
- Sushma Swaraj, senior BJP leader: Just by saying the Supreme Court judgement is unfortunate won't help. Let the government call an all-party meeting and discuss changes.
- Subramanian Swamy, Leader, BJP: The majority of MPs in Parliament, the Supreme Court, the Constitution, and over 84 per cent of India support the Supreme Court order on gay sex.
- Omar Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister: Questions of morality or religion are not the issue. How can a lifestyle choice be illegal? Supreme Court removes red lights for equality yet not Section 377.
- Sitaram Yechury, Politburo member, CPI(M): There is a need to understand Supreme Court's verdict. It is not a legal definition. It has put forth this in front of the Parliament. Parliament standing committee on law and order will discuss it.
- Derek O' Brien, Leader, Trinamool Congress: At a personal level, I am very disappointed. In this liberal world we live today this is not expected.
- Ram Gopal Yadav, Leader, Samajwadi Party: We support the decision of Supreme Court. It is completely against the culture of the nation.
