The Supreme Court in India has agreed to re-examine an 150 year old law that criminalises gay sex.

In 2013, India upheld the controversial colonial-era ban on sex between men, which could see offenders face 10 years in prison. Now, the Supreme Court is set hear a petition challenging the law, and to examine Section 377 of the Penal Code which deems gay sex as an “unnatural offence”.

Three senior judges said the 2013 ruling would be re-examined by a larger group of judges, and that the issue was a “matter of constitutional importance”.

The law was ruled “discriminatory” in 2009, but following social, religious and political pressures, the law was reinstated in 2013.

Indian LGBT rights activists erupted in cheers outside of the court buildings once the decision was announced.

“We hope the Supreme Court will go by its tradition of protecting the rights of individuals and communities, and ensure that the stigma of criminalisation is removed from the LGBT community,” said Arvind Narrain, an Indian lawyer specialising in gender issues.

Social media users have been tweeting their support for the Indian LGBT community.

Celebrate diversity. Big day for India today. Time to join the civilised world and embrace gay communities minus prejudice or fear.

— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) February 2, 2016

India must accept that gay people are no different from straight people! They Should Be Identified as normal citizens. #377Debate @TimesNow

— Roshan Rai (@Roshan_Kr_Rai) January 29, 2016

New hope for LGBT rights in India!Supreme court re-opens hearing. Matter referred to 5 judge bench. #Scrap377

— Anshu Chhibber (@AnshuChhibber) February 2, 2016