Homosexual relations between consenting adults are no longer considered criminal in India, thanks to a court ruling that overturned a long-standing federal law. The BBC rounded up some reactions from Indian citizens after news of the judgment broke around the country.

BBC:

Shiv Prakash Maurya, student, Allahabad

I don’t agree with the court ruling. There is no homosexuality in India, it’s part of Western culture.

The legalising of homosexuality means that we are losing our Indian identity. That’s not a good decision because it will increase the immorality in our country.

[…] Siddharth Singh, 21, NGO worker, New Delhi

Siddharth: It will take a long time for attitudes to change

I welcome the court ruling – we are finally moving in the right direction. Homosexual people, at least legally, can now be equal to the rest of us.

I’ve met many gay and lesbian people through my work. They’ve shared some of the difficulties they had to live with – they couldn’t go to the doctor for example, out of fear that they might be reported and arrested.

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