Sonia Gandhi says section 377 is repressive, unjust

Amid the storm over the Supreme Court verdict on gay rights issue, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi today expressed disappointment over the order, signalling that Parliament would address the matter.

Homosexuality is a matter of personal freedom, it should be upheld, Rahul told reporters adding he agreed with the Delhi High Court verdict which decriminalised homosexuality.

"I feel, my personal view is that these are matters of personal freedom. I think I would agree more with the High Court. I think these type of matters should be left to individuals. These are their choices. The country is known for its freedom of expression. That is what I think", he said.

Sonia Gandhi expressed her disappointment that the apex court had reversed a previous Delhi High Court.

Terming Indian Penal Code’s Section 377 “unjust,” Congress president Sonia Gandhi expressed disappointed with Wednesday’s Supreme Court judgment, which upheld the penal provision, that makes gay sex a criminal offence, punishable by upto life in prison.

The apex court had riled not just the LGBT community, but a wide section of society with its judgment, but had pointed out that it was upto the Legislature to decide whether there is a need for the penal provision to be amended or deleted.

Sonia said that she hoped the Parliament addresses the issue and upholds the “Constitutional guarantee of life and liberty to al citizens of India, including those directly affected by this judgment.”