'We stand with RSS, BJP on gay sex issue': Minority leaders say UPA will be taught a lesson

New Delhi: Several Muslim leaders on Friday 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 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 here on Friday.

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

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind said the Supreme Court's verdict is not only in line with the traditions and religious teachings of the country but also removes apprehensions about invasion of western culture and disintegration of family system.

"Majority of the people in our country believe in religion and uphold traditions of the east. All religions emphasise on formation of a family through marital relation between men and women, on which depends not only the existence of human race and lasting peace but it also establishes the respected and central position of woman in the society," said Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, National President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.

In a statement issued by the organisation on Thursday, its members welcomed the SC's decision and said the apex court has stopped the country from going on to the path of destruction.

"We are concerned that lovers of western culture, in the name of individual freedom, minority rights and other lame excuses, are putting pressure on political parties and governments for amendment in the law.

"We warn the government and political parties that we will never accept it...such filthy experiments have destroyed human society and violated the rights of women at a large scale in the west. We should learn from it," another member Maulana Mufti Mukarram Ahmed said.

Moreover, it is a great danger to public health. Medical research has also found it as a basic reason for the spread of AIDS, the statement said.