What was your immediate reaction on hearing the verdict? What does it mean to you, and what's next?
I was with a friend, and my phone started buzzing as the messages started pouring in, with friends from across the world sending congrats and love. We took a moment to sit down... we were so overwhelmed... The section has acted as a primary catalyst in a vicious cycle of discrimination for many years. Now, people can no longer use it to justify a violation of privacy and discrimination... Today marks a crucial step in the humanisation of the community in India, which has struggled for years. It has been offered a semblance of dignity.

Do you feel the law will still have its effect in practice?
What happened today is not going to change the way LGBTQ+ students are treated in Indian schools. It is, however, going to lead to a better understanding of their lives and sociopolitical identities. Students, teachers, and principals will hopefully be able to challenge the regressive notion of homophobia within schools with redefined confidence.