The Delhi High Court has legalised gay sex today. In a country where public hugging and kissing even among heterosexuals invites lewd remarks and sometimes beatings, gay sex has been a taboo, leaving the government unsure how conservative Indians would react if the law was repealed.

Members and activists of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) society hailed the court's verdict. In southern Chennai, people danced to the beat of drums to hail, what they said was, a path-breaking decision. "Homosexuality is a big problem in India. It is banned under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Today the court pronounced a historic judgment. So we homosexuals are celebrating the occasion," said Vasu.

But religious leaders think otherwise. One Muslim leader in Muslim-majority northern Luck now said homosexuality has never been accepted in Indian culture. "India has been representing the Asian culture and has been the centre from last 100's of years and thus it can never accept such things. It has never been liked by Muslims or non-Muslims and nor can it benefit humanity in any way," said Mirza Atahar, a Muslim cleric.

A priest in Kochi city of southern Kerala state also condemned the move and said that though homosexuals should be supported it doesn't mean that they should be encouraged. "There is small minority of people who have inner tendency for homosexuality. These people we have to understand them. But that doesn't mean homosexual acts are moral, they should be allowed. Definitely we cannot do that because it will completely destroy our moral fabric of the society. It will destroy very definition and understanding of marriage, children and the whole purpose of sex will also be totally destroyed and people will end in some sort of moral anarchy of the society. That's why people who have moral sense, the government and people responsible must see to it that moral fiber of the society, moral nature of the society is safeguarded," said Father Paul Thelakkat, spokesperson of Syro-Malabar Church, Kerala.

Many gay rights supporters were seen celebrating with sweets and smearing each other with vermilion. Celina Jaitley, Bollywood actress and gay activist said it was a momentous moment in the struggle for rights of the sexual minorities in the country. – Reuters