The Supreme Court of India passed a historical judgment on Thursday as it decriminalised homosexuality. A bench of five judges led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had reserved the verdict on 17 July on the conclusion of arguments.

“Privacy of human beings constitutes the cardinal rule of our constitution. Make way for the progressive realization of social and economic rights and to begin a dialogue for ensuring individual rights reports, have to bid adieu to perception stereotypes,” Chief Justice Misra said on Thursday.

Bollywood stars came in support of the LGBTQ community and congratulated them on winning the decades-long battle. The celebrities sent out their wishes on social media.

Filmmaker Karan Johar wrote in his tweet, “Historical judgment!!!! So proud today! Decriminalising homosexuality and abolishing #Section377 is a huge thumbs up for humanity and equal rights! The country gets its oxygen back!”

Historical judgment!!!! So proud today! Decriminalising homosexuality and abolishing #Section377 is a huge thumbs up for humanity and equal rights! The country gets its oxygen back! 👍👍👍💪💪💪🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/ZOXwKmKDp5

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) September 6, 2018

Actress Swara Bhaskar also congratulated the activists and wrote, “Congratulations to all the activists and petitioners on#SupremeCourt judgment scrapping #Section377 Your perseverance just made #India a freer place for everyone ! #LoveIsLove #Pride #377Verdict #377Scrapped Three cheers for the #SupremeCourt.”

Congratulations to all the activists and petitioners on #SupremeCourt judgement scrapping #Section377 Your perseverance just made #India a freer place for everyone ! #LoveIsLove #Pride #377Verdict #377Scrapped Three cheers for the #SupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/grA64TTB3w

— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) September 6, 2018

It, however, should be noted here that the verdict does not scrap Section 377 altogether. The law still criminalises bestiality and sexual acts without consent by one of the same-sex partners. The combined judgment by the 5-judge constitutional bench categorically said Section 377 would not apply to consensual same-sex acts between homosexuals, heterosexuals, lesbians and other sexual minorities but would continue to apply to bestiality and sexual acts without consent by one of them.

The Union government has been asked to work towards eradicating the stigma surrounding homosexuality.

Here are the tweets posted by other celebrities.

This is the india I want to live in. Not one filled with hate, bigotry,sexism homophobia and intolerance. THIS is the India I love. 🇮🇳 🌈

— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) September 6, 2018

RIP #Section377. Happy birthday 2018 !! Equal love. Equal lives. Proud Indian today. ♥️🌈🇮🇳

— Nimrat Kaur (@NimratOfficial) September 6, 2018

Sanity prevails for once we can believe we have some sensible decision makers and lawmaker s available to this generation. #Section377 gone with the wind.

— Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) September 6, 2018

RIP #Section377
The new sunshine of this day is that of a progressive India. Love all!

— Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) September 6, 2018

Section 377 refers to ‘unnatural offences’ and says whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to pay a fine.