New Delhi, July 07 : Will homophobia achieve what countless initiatives on communal harmony couldn’t? The Delhi high court’s recent verdict legalising homosexuality could make Muslim organisations Darul Uloom Deoband and Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind join Hindu groups Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to challenge the verdict.
Religious organisations across the country were outraged at the verdict that ‘read down’ section 377 of the Indian Penal Code last week, and have demanded that the government must not legalise homosexuality. Mufti Ejaz Arshad Qasmi, former spokesperson of Darul Uloom Deoband and currently general secretary of the Islamic Peace Foundation told DNA that in the next few weeks efforts would be made to form a joint forum comprising representatives of Muslim, Hindu and Christian organisations which would spell-out its objections to the UPA government.
According to Qasmi, the process has already been initiated. The Darul Uloom Deoband, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Delhi’s Jama Masjid and Islamic Peace Foundation will meet soon to discuss to decide a course of action.
“We will first try to get as many Muslim organisations as possible on board. The verdict is shameful. It is a result of the mindset of just a handful of ungodly people, how can it be accepted for the majority? It (the order) not just legalises something that is completely against nature but is also devious of religious sensibilities,” Qasmi said.
Once the Muslim groups conclude their internal talks, they would approach VHP, RSS and representatives of various Christian bodies for support. “The VHP and RSS have a considerable clout in political circles and like us they too have objected to this dirty verdict,” said Qasmi. “It’s time for us to act together against this verdict or it will pollute the society.”
The VHP too, has shown interest in this forum. “Once the Muslim bodies develop a consensus, we’ll consider their proposals. Although this isn’t only a matter of outraging religious sentiments, we must all do our bit to see that such unfortunate verdicts don’t contaminate society,” VHP spokesperson Surendra Jain said.
Qasmi has also contacted political leaders on the issue. “Some people in the government want section 377 to go. We are holding discussions with politicians to avoid this,” he said. Jain said VHP leaders were holding talks with politicians to prevent any attempt “by the government to repeal section 377.”
–Agencies–