‘SECTION 377 QUIT INDIA’: LGBT COMMUNITY MARCHES WITH PRIDE FROM THE ICONIC AUGUST KRANTI MAIDAN

On the 75th anniversary of the famous ‘Quit India Movement’, the LGBTQ community congregated at the iconic August Kranti Maidan on Friday for it Gay Pride Parade, which is in its tenth year, to push for the abolishment of Section 377 of Indian Penal Code which criminalises sexual activities ‘against the order of nature’.

The community coined the march as ‘Quit India Movement-2’ and believes that the law which criminalises samesex marriage and was created during the British rule should cease to exist after 70 years of the country having gained independence.

“It is abominable that the rule, that in its essence was draconian, which was made by British people still exists even after them leaving. And even more ironic is the West doesn’t have any such rule,” said Harish Iyer, a gay rights activist who had organised the march.

Chanting ‘anti-377’ slogans, holding 'free hugs' and gender equality placards, the crowd rallied from August Kranti Maidan to Royal Opera House and back.

"People might say anything, but we still believe that they are not ready to accept. A human relation is pure and it is not good to categorise between straight and LGBTQ community," said Nidhi Vora, member of the community and a Class X student.

This year's march saw a leap among heterosexual community footfall in support of the LGBTQ community. “They deal with issues much bigger than straight people. It is their everyday struggle. The least we can do is support them and celebrate queerness for one day along with them,” said Jaya Lulla, a Law student from Surat who came to support her friend.

An onlooker had no idea of the march but he seconded the opinion on decriminalisation of Section 377. “Everyone should exercise their right to express their voice and it should also reach the right people. Everyone is born different. Even they should get the same respect as any other citizen does,” said Chintan Thaker, a pharma company employee.