NEW DELHI , India ( CNN ) -- A landmark ruling that legalized gay sex between consenting partners in India was challenged Thursday in the country 's high court , lawyers said . Activists protest against the ruling to decriminalize gay sex in New Delhi on Sunday . The supreme court issued a notice to the nonprofit Naz Foundation that had won a lower-court verdict after a seven-year legal fight to decriminalize gay sex . Notices also were issued to the federal government and the New Delhi high court , which ruled last week that consensual sex between partners of the same gender was legal . An astrologer filed a petition challenging the ruling . The petitioner argued that no constitutional right is violated by the Indian penal code 's Section 377 , which had outlawed gay sex , said his lawyer Praveen Agrawal . The petition also cited Indian culture and health as grounds for seeking a stay on last week 's ruling , he said . The supreme court posted the next hearing for July 20 . Last week 's ruling meant the law -- Indian penal code section 377 , which had previously criminalized consensual homosexual acts between adults -- was partly struck down but remains in place as far as forced homosexual acts are concerned . The verdict affects law enforcement all around India because it deals with a law enacted by the federal parliament . India 's Ministry of Home Affairs opposed changes to the law on grounds that decriminalizing homosexual conduct would `` open the floodgates of delinquent behavior . '' Watch a report on why discrimination is likely to continue » . But Human Rights Watch called the ruling `` a victory for basic rights to privacy , non-discrimination and liberty . '' UNAIDS , the joint United Nations program on AIDS , also applauded the ruling , saying it restored dignity and human rights . It was not immediately clear whether the ruling would eventually lead to legalization of gay marriages in the country . `` This , I think , will be the next level of demand from the gay community , '' Jaisingh said . Jaisingh said she had fought for legalization of homosexuality for seven years on behalf of the Naz Foundation . The group says its `` primary aim is to improve the sexual health and human rights of marginalized males who have sex with males , their partners and families in South Asia and elsewhere . '' Christian , Hindu , Muslim and Sikh leaders had warned that they will oppose moves to decriminalize homosexuality .
Ruling of consensual gay sex in India , in India 's high court . Ruling partially striking down laws criminalizing consensual homosexual acts . Christian , Hindu , Muslim , Sikh leaders oppose decriminalizing homosexuality .