Muslim leaders unite with RSS, BJP against gays

Several Muslim leaders on Friday echoed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party's sentiments on the Section 377 issue with some even warning the United Progressive Alliance 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.

"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 Aam Aadmi Party 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.

Meanwhile, BJP on Friday 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 in New Delhi.

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

Image: Gay rights activists protest against Supreme Court’s verdict on Section 377, in New Delhi

Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters