LGBTQ Pride Walk.

On the same date as the most awaited Kala Ghora festival premiered, there was another event that took place at August Kranti Maidaan-The LGBTQ Pride Walk. This Saturday was Mumbai’s 8th annual LGBT pride parade which was attended by more than 7,000 people. Certain rules or guidelines were to be followed which were long posted on the website- mumbaipride.in which were as follows-

1. The Queer Azaadi March timings are officially from 3pm to 6 pm.

2. The march participants can begin assembling outside August Kranti Maidan from 3 pm onwards.

3. Starting 3 pm , there will be speeches on the podium by community members and supporters.

4. Pride Posters and flags will be distributed by the Volunteers to all Pride March participants.

5. At 4 pm sharp the March will begin with the spreading of the Pride flag .

6. The Pride March route is August Kranti Maidan-Nana Chowk-Grant Road Bridge-Lamington Road-Opera House-Kennedy Bridge-Nana Chowk and back to August Kranti Maidan.

7. Post reaching August Kranti Maidan , balloons will be released along with pride ribbons. (This activity is to be completed in 15 mins)

8. Post completion of this activity , the participants are requested to disperse from the location.

9. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CANNOT MARCH TOWARDS GIRGAUM CHOWPATTY FROM OPERA HOUSE-AS PER INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE POLICE

10. Smoking, alcohol , substance abuse is strictly prohibited.

11. While dressing colorfully is encouraged, please use your own good judgment in your dressing or behavior, that it does not offend anyone.

12. Do not dress up as a political icon, historical figure as this may be objected by the authorities.

13. Please keep the march route clean, do not litter , seek the Green Team for discarding dry waste.

The event started sharp at 3 with many supporters chimming in later. On an installed podium, many people then made speeches, including equal rights activist Harish Iyer, Chitra Palekar, and other activists. Manoj Bajpai also spoke to the audience regarding his support for the cause. The star cast of Hindi flick 'Aligarh' - which is based on the death of a gay professor after being kicked out of Aligarh Muslim University - was also present. Various stands were set up at the back of the crowd, painting temporary tattoos onto people who wanted to wear their support on their faces. Many supporters dawned the ‘rainbow’ on their faces. Small pride flags were distributed freely, as were banners created by Humsafar Trust and other organisations. Participants dressed very colourfully. There were those who turned up dressed as drag queens, people dressed as political figures from history etc. Individuals from many walks of life attended the event, including families, NGO workers and even a nun who helped hold up a banner. Many people came out as gay during the duration of the event.

People from different walks of life and all sections came to show their support to the cause. The event was not just attended by the people of the LGBTQ community but also by hetrosexuals who believe in the cause. There was enthusiastic song and dance by the participants as they marched on while the drums played. It caused a lot of onlooker traffic. The response was varied. Some ridiculed the marchers, while others clapped and a few even encouraged the crowd. What was also heartening was the minimal police presence and the cooperative attitude of Mumbai Police. As the crowd began to move through the streets, towards Opera House, volunteers distributed leaflets regarding Section 377 and legal developments so far. Eventually, the crowd of marchers made its way back to August Kranti Maidan at around 5:30 pm. Soon after, pride balloons were released into the sky to a chorus of cheers. The participants once again resorted to dancing, and slogans such as "Kaunsa law hai sabse battar? Teenso satattar teenso satattar," (which law is the worse? 377). Eventually, the crowd left the venue by 6 pm, bringing an end to a successful event. The event and cause has had many more supporters, increasing since 2008, when the march first took place. The event also was a celebration to what happened on February 2, 2016- during a hearing of the curative petition submitted by the Naz Foundation and others against the 2013 verdict, the apex court decided to submit the matter to a five-judge bench for consideration, thus bringing some hope to the LGBT community.