By India Tomorrow News,
New Delhi, 11 Dec 2013: Several religious leaders both from Hindu and Muslim communities have welcomed the Supreme Court’s verdict holding consensual sex between adults of the same gender as an offence.
Setting aside the Delhi High Court verdict of 2009, the apex court bench of Justice GS Singhvi and Justice SJ Mukhopadhayay said there was no constitutional room for change in Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which holds same-gender sexual relationship as an act against the order of the nature and as an offence.
Mr. Nusrat Ali, General Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, has also welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court.
“We welcome the apex court verdict as the act of homosexuality is unnatural, hazardous to both society and the health of the individuals,” said Mr. Ali. He expressed hope the verdict would help in closing a window of immorality and licentiousness in the society.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, yoga guru Baba Ramdev said homosexuality is unnatural and it is not genetic. “If our parents were homosexuals then we would not have been born. So it’s unnatural,” said Baba Ramdev who was one of the petitioners against the Delhi High Court legalizing homosexuality in 2009. He hailed the apex court verdict, saying the court has respected sentiments of millions of Indians by declaring homosexuality a crime.
Mr. SQR Ilyas, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, which had filed a petition in the case, also praised the verdict.
“These relationships are unethical as well as unnatural,” Ilyas said. “They create problems in society, both moral and social. This is a sin as far as Islam is concerned.”
Reacting to the judgment, Muslim Students Organisation of India said it “will be great Judgment and should have reaching effect to demotivate illegal same sex relations in India. Our Supreme Court has upheld inner conscience of nation which was played down by Delhi High Court,” said Shujaat Ali Quadri Barkaati Azhari, General Secretary of the organisation.
“Multinational companies are running a campaign to decriminalize gay relations in India just to sell their products,” he said and demanded the government not to frame a law to legalize it if there is any demand from any quarter.
Meanwhile, Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal said the government must respect the order of the Supreme Court. “It is the prerogative of the Supreme Court to judge the constitutionality and validity of the law. The opinion of the Supreme Court must be respected by the government. They have exercised their prerogative, we shall exercise ours,” Mr. Sibal has been quoted by agencies.
However, some gay activists have denounced the verdict and vowed to fight against it. Gay activist Ashok Row Kavi said: “We are back to square one. But we will fight for our rights. It is essential to note that this has nothing to do with morality and religion.”
