The advocate reminded those who are tasting ashes in their mouth now that every such struggle takes time and begins with small steps. There are reverses on the journey but one cannot and should not throw in the towel. “Remember how the Delhi High Court had decriminalised homosexuality in 2009, and then the Supreme Court reversed that in 2013. Then, five years later, in 2018, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court partially struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), decriminalising same-sex relations between consenting adults.”

That, Sanap said, “Had a tremendous impact and did alter the social and political discourse.” He summed up, “Although same-sex marriage is not recognised yet, the community is emboldened to take the fight ahead in areas of anti-discrimination and elimination of violence. This is one case that we have lost. It is disappointing to lose a case of this magnitude, import and proportion. Yet, there will be a tomorrow and a day after. We may have lost a battle but there is still a war to be won.”