Twenty four hours as criminal and counting…

It has been twenty four hours since the 2009 landmark Delhi High Court verdict on IPC Section 377 was overturned by the Supreme Court of India. The SC verdict turned me and millions of Indians into criminals, again.

I am yet to come to terms with what had happened. I believe, I am not alone in this. It has been a roller coaster for the past twenty four hours. From shock to anger, agony to despair.

I hear the same story everywhere — from friends, acquaintances and strangers. People in the office rushing to the restroom to weep, holing themselves up in their cabins, isolating themselves from meetings to prevent others see them break down, and so on. All these are grown up people with a strong will to fight.

The impromptu meeting with a few of my friends yesterday was intensely emotional. We could read each other’s minds. Most had to hold back our tears, to be strong for each other, to console each other. What was left unsaid needed no words. The gloom enveloped us, crept through our beings, in silence. We put on our bravest faces and started to discuss our future plans.

As queer people. As citizens claiming our basic rights.

conversation must go on.

We have to cry and console ourselves at the same time. We must carry on with our lives and carry on with our fight.

We do not have the luxury to curl up on our bed and grieve.