Queer people made legally empowered citizens: SC judge

One-liner: SC judge DY Chandrachud has said that the decriminalisation of Section 377 of the IPC by the apex court has enabled queer people to emerge as legally empowered citizens.

Intersecting oppression: He said though the judgment enabled them to demand their rights, rightfully and proudly still structural changes are needed to ensure positive legal effects for marginalised queer people, who continue to face intersecting oppression. 

Abuse of law: Speaking at IIT-Delhi, Justice Chandrachud said certain groups of queer people due to their caste and class positions are more susceptible and vulnerable to the abuse of the law. 

First legal step: He cited the much-needed first legal step that the SC was able to take with the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the Navtej Singh Johar verdict dated Sept 6, 2018.

Innovative thinking: He added that diversity results in innovative thinking and decision-making, and richness in the originality of scholarly thought and learning is impoverished when it happens in groups of like-minded people.

Diverse but not inclusive: An institute that is only diverse but not inclusive imposes additional burdens on students due to their stigmatised identities, he said.

Source: PTI