Minority leaders support RSS, BJP on Sec. 377 issue

Gay rights activists hold placards during a protest against a verdict by the Supreme Court in New Delhi December 15, 2013. A gay rights activist takes a photograph of herself using her mobile phone during a protest against a verdict by the Supreme Court in New Delhi on December 11, 2013. India's Supreme Court on Wednesday reinstated a ban on gay sex in the world's largest democracy, following a four-year period of decriminalisation that had helped bring homosexuality into the open in the socially conservative country. In 2009 the Delhi High Court ruled unconstitutional a section of the penal code dating back to 1860 that prohibits 'carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal' and lifted the ban for consenting adults. The Supreme Court threw out that decision, saying only parliament could change Section 377 of the penal code, widely interpreted to refer to homosexual sex. Violation of the law can be punished with up to 10 years in jail. REUTERS

Several Muslim leaders today echoed the RSS and BJP's sentiments on the Section 377 issue with some even warning the UPA government that it would be taught a lesson in the 2014 polls over its move to file a review petition against the Supreme Court verdict against homosexuality.

"Rahul Gandhi is dictating the Congress agenda for his personal reasons, against the majority opinion within Congress.

"Muslims are with BJP and RSS on this issue and there is no question of secularism and communalism in the matter," said Ilias Azmi, former MP and a member of the AAP Core Committee.

Azmi further said that in a civilised society, one cannot define freedom as absolute."This can only happen in jungles. Do UPA leaders want to make this country jungle for the personal interest of one leader?," he asked.

Welcoming the apex court verdict upholding Section 377 of Indian Penal Code, Qari MM Mazhari, editor of 'Secular Qayadat', said that same sex marriage was against the tenets of not only Islam, but all major religions of the world.

"By going for a review petition, the UPA Cabinet is digging its own grave," he said.

Arshad Khan, President of the National Loktantrik Party, said that all Muslim institutions and social and political groups would unite to teach Congress a lesson in the Lok Sabha polls were the party to go ahead with its intention of reversing the SC verdict.

"Muslim organisations are united in extending their support to BJP on this (Sec. 377) issue... It is not a matter of politics or secularism," said Dr MJ Khan, Convener of the Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC).

Meanwhile, BJP today suggested that its stand on SC judgement on the Section 377 issue was still open with the party noting that the debate over the same was not over yet.

"If you look at the issue, I don't think the debate is over... (SC) has upheld the validity of Section 377. What is covered under the Section and what is not, there is ambiguity. So let the government go and exhaust that," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, said here today.

BJP chief Rajnath Singh and several party leaders had earlier welcomed the SC order saying they would not support anything "unnatural".