AnathKumar Hegde welcomed SC's verdict of striking down section 377

Sirsi: Union Minister welcomed the Supreme Court verdict of striking down the section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalised homosexual activity.

Speaking to reporters after taking part in ‘Swachhata hi Seva’ programme at Hunusehonda pond of Sonda near here, he said, “Gays and lesbians are humans just like any other individuals. It is just a sexual orientation of a few individuals and it is not possible to eliminate or remove it. We should let them live peacefully,” the Union minister said. 

A five-judge Constitution Bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra unanimously held that criminalisation of private consensual sexual conduct between adults of the same sex under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code is clearly unconstitutional.