NEW DELHI: Congress led opposition parties in welcoming the Supreme Court verdict decriminalising gay sex . The party released a statement on Twitter hailing the move and threw its weight behind the LGBTQ community "We join the people of India and the LGBTQ community in their victory over prejudice. We welcome the progressive and decisive verdict from SC and hope this is the beginning of a more equal and inclusive society," it said.Video messages lauding the SC order poured in from Congress leaders. Among those who took to social media to offer their support included Shashi Tharoor , Sachin Pilot, Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev, Milind Deora, Priya Dutt, Jitin Prasada and Randeep Surjewala.Tharoor, who has been a key advocate of equal rights for the LGBTQ community, welcomed the verdict and said the matter was not an issue of sex but of constitutional freedom. "I welcome the judgment and I think it is a right judgment to make. It is not the issue of sex but the issue of constitutional freedom. The Supreme Court has upheld the values of equality which should apply to all communities of our country," he said.CPM leader Brinda Karat called the judgment "historic". "It is a victory for all those citizens of India who have suffered," she said.BJD spokesperson Kalikesh Singh Deo said, "We welcome the verdict. Odisha government has been very proactive towards the rights of LGBTQ community. Everyone should get the liberty to live their lives according to their desire irrespective of caste, creed, sex and sexual preference." RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha said this should have been done long ago. "The decision is for humanity and for constitutional rights of the LGBTQ community."Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande said, "The LGBTQ community will no longer have to face harassment from society. The SC order proves that we are living in a democratic country." BJP chose not to react to the verdict.