Pride parade in india
A pride parade in the northern Indian state of Punjab has been cancelled after it was threatened by Sikh religious groups.
Organisers said over the weekend they had cancelled the march, prioritising the safety of participants.
The march was scheduled to hold place on 27 April in Amritsar city, some km north of the national capital Delhi.
“This year, due to opposition, we are informing that Pride Amritsar is cancelling the Pride Parade ," organisers Ridham Chadha and Ramit Seth said in a statement.
"We perform not intend to harm the sentiments of any religious or political groups. The safety of our members is our first priority and we will take measures to safeguard it."
The acting leader of the Akal Takht – the temporal command in Sikhism – had condemned the march and called it "unnatural", Punjab News reported.
Paramjit Singh Akali, a leader of the Nihang Sikh community, had also reportedly urged local authorities to deny permission to the march.
Amritsar is home to the Golden Temple, a gurudwara on a lake that is considered one of the holiest sites in Sikhism. Nihan
LGBTQ+: India’s first Pride march which made history
Pride parades in India today are vibrant affairs, where thousands amass to express themselves and offer aid to the queer community. But things were very unlike in , when the country's first Pride walk was organised in the eastern state of West Bengal. Journalist Sandip Roy revisits the trailblazing event.
On 2 July , Pawan Dhall, a queer rights activist in Kolkata metropolis, was among the 15 intrepid marchers to participate in what was later called the first Pride walk in India.
The event was timed to coincide with global celebrations marking 30 years of the Stonewall riots in New York which sparked the LGBTQ+ movement in the US.
But July is monsoon season in India, and the 15 marchers in their custom-made bright yellow t-shirts with pink triangles were soon soaked to the bone.
"It was more of a wade than a walk," Mr Dhall says.
The marchers also did not verb the event a Pride march, instead going for the more innocuous-sounding "Friendship Walk" to evade troub
Beyond the Parade: 8 Ways to Celebrate Pride Across India This June
Every June, the world blooms a little brighter — not just in colour, but in courage. Across India, from sun-dappled coasts to bustling city squares, Pride Month is not merely a celebration; it’s a reminder. A reminder that love, in all its forms, deserves to be seen, heard, and cherished.
But beyond the rainbow flags and joyous marches lies something even deeper: the quiet power of belonging. For someone taking their first tentative steps out of the closet, or an ally eager to attend and learn, these gatherings are more than events — they are lifelines. They are where stories are shared, hands are held, and futures are rewritten, one hold , one song, one march at a time.
This June, whether you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community or a loyal ally, here’s your invitation to be part of something bigger. From film festivals to art exhibitions, Pride in India is calling — not just to celebrate, but to connect, to heal, and to build a future that holds space for everyone.
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Pride Month: LGBTQIA+ community gathers for a vibrant celebration in New Delhi
The Capital was overtaken by a burst of colour, cheer and unapologetic pride on Saturday evening at an event marking the beginning of Pride Month.
Bringing together members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, the event began with a series of moving speeches. From their personal journeys of acceptance to calling for policy-level inclusion and workplace equality, the speakers’ words set the tone for the repose of the evening.
“I believe Pride should not just be celebrated during one particular month, but all days of the year. It is just a happy reminder for everyone that the LGBTQIA+ community is here. We wanted to tell our people that while the world might be regressing, in India, we are progressing,” said Keshav Suri, an activist and LGBTQIA+ advocate, during the event, adding, “While we have a prolonged way to move, we’re still on the right path.”
Several attendees reflected the spirit of Pride month in vibrant rainbow colours. Also part of the celebrations was a Pride March. Taking to the adjoining s