In a poignant act of love and resistance, a gay couple, Ananya Kotia and Utkarsh Saxena, exchanged engagement rings right outside the Supreme Court. Their engagement came a day after the apex court decided against legalizing same-sex marriages.
However, the court did underscore the country’s duty to recognize and protect LGBTQ relationships from discrimination. This act of defiance by the couple not only made a powerful statement but also garnered significant attention and support online.
Ananya Kotia, currently a PhD student at the London School of Economics, expressed his emotions on the social media platform X (previously known as Twitter). He shared,
“Yesterday hurt. Today, @utkarsh__saxena and I went back to the court that denied our rights and exchanged rings. So this week wasn’t about a legal loss, but our engagement. We’ll return to fight another day.”
The heartfelt post resonated with a vast audience, amassing numerous likes and a flood of congratulatory messages.
On the other hand, the Supreme Court’s verdict elicited a spectrum of reactions from the LGBTQ community. Shyam Konnur, the founder-director of the MIST LGBTQ Foundation, who had been intently following the court’s decision, voiced his disappointment. He had been among several community members who gathered at the Stories Café in Pune’s Koregaon Park to watch the verdict unfold.
Konnur remarked,
“The battle will still be on,”
seeking solace in the guidelines issued by the court for the welfare of same-sex couples. However, the overall sentiment at the café was tinged with confusion, with many feeling the need to delve deeper into the judgment’s details to fully understand its implications.
In the aftermath of the verdict, the unwavering spirit of the LGBTQ community shines through, as exemplified by Ananya and Utkarsh’s act. Their commitment to love and equality serves as a beacon of hope and determination for the community’s continued fight for equal rights and recognition in India.
Also read- Supreme Court Directs End To Queer Discrimination: A Comprehensive Overview (lawchakra.in)
