Homophobia Unites Moral and Culture Police From All Religio-Political Lobbies In India

A siawi compilation with reports and documents from India

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India: Great Leap forward - On the 2nd of July 2009 A Landmark Ruling by Delhi Court decriminalized homosexuality by striking down section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. But now the fundamentalists of all make have united to oppose and challenge this.

+ FULL TEXT OF THE DELHI HIGH COURT DECISION - WP© NO.7455/2001 http://www.sacw.net/article985.html

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HOMOPHOBIA UNITES MORAL POLICE FROM ALL RELIGIO-POLITICAL LOBBIES IN INDIA

[The 2 July 2009 judgement by the Delhi high court is a great victory for human rights; but all secular forces must be beware of all the major religious and conservative forces that are uniting to block and oppose the full legalisation of homosexuality in India. They will have to be firmly challenged from on a secular platform. A common front of retrogressive forces from the religious spectrum ranging from Maulvis, catholic clergymen, Hindutva types and also people from mainstream political parties are likely to appeal and challenge legal decision and any moves to develop state policy. A selection of reports and excerpts from the Indian press is posted below.]

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The Hindu, July 2, 2009 : 2015 Hrs

LEGALISING HOMOSEXUALITY WILL LEAD TO SEXUAL ANARCHY: CHURCH

Kochi (PTI): Expressing reservation over the Delhi High court judgement legalising homosexuality, the Catholic Church in Kerala on Thursday said this would ’open up’ the society to ’sexual anarchy’.

"Though Homosexual act is immoral, we should be merciful, considerate to people with homosexual tendencies. However, that does not mean they have the right to the homosexual act," the Catholic Church spokesperson Paul Thelekat said.

"Legalising gay sex will open up the society to some sort of sexual anarchy. Perhaps Indian culture is being eroded by the western promiscuous culture," he said.

The Church would work with every sensitive person and community to keep the moral fabric of the society intact, he said.

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Times of India

GOVT RESOLVE TO ACT ON SECTION 377 HITS DEOBAND HURDLE

30 June 2009

NEW DELHI: Islamic seminary Deoband’s condemnation on Monday of moves to repeal Section 377 of IPC to legalise same sex liaisons — by calling it a wish of an "ungodly few" — set off fears that conservative religious opinion could dilute the resolve of the government to "decriminalise homosexuality".

The seminary, reacting to statements from government circles that there was a case for scratching Section 377, called it a "contemptible move likely to corrupt the gullible in society". The strong criticism may well increase the wariness that has marked the reactions of ministers after initially signalling a preparedness to legalise homosexuality.

While there was a strong reaction from Muslim clerics in general, their stand was bolstered by Deoband with deputy V-C of Darul-Uloom, Mufti Mohammad Abdul Khalik Madrasi, warning, "Homosexuality is an offence under Shariat law and haram (prohibited) in Islam."

Two days after reactions from Union ministers raised hope among groups working for its repeal, the mood was one of caution and the ruling Congress itself made it clear that it had no particular views on the matter. The apprehensions are largely on account of conservative opinion from religious quarters, which can have a social resonance and are seen to have a political impact as well.

What may make withdrawal of Section 377 a challenge are hints of convergence across religious barriers against the move. Mohammad Arshad Farukhi from the fatwa department of Darul-Uloom said, "A joint forum of Hindus, Muslims and Christians must be set up to check the government from making the offending legislation."

It has tempered the aggression in government. Law minister Veerappa Moily assured that a wide debate on the issue would take care of reservations of Christian groups. "The government cannot take a decision in a hurry. We need to apply our mind," he said in Hyderabad, adding, "We are examining it."

Health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was as non-committal. "I can simply say there should be more debate — public debate, Parliament debate. There has to be a consensus. The negative and positive has to be evaluated and then a conclusion should be evolved," he said.

Azad favoured a debate in Parliament, saying, "There should be a total consensus. Not only government, but other political parties should also be in line with it (amendment)."

As the two key ministers advocated debate and consensus, Congress refused to take sides on the issue. "This is under consideration of the government. It is a normal government process. The party does not have any opinion on it," party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said in response to queries about the party’s stand on repealing Section 377.

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EXCERPT FROM PTI REPORT IN HERALD
 http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=23802&cid=2

"While Rt Rev Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa, head of Marthoma Syrian Church of Malabar diocesan, said homosexuality is not at all acceptable and agreeable as it is against the tenets of Bible.

According to Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, repeal of the section would create “sexual anarchy” in the society.

VHP said homosexuality is against the culture and family system in India and will result in spread of number of diseases."

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EXCERPT FROM REPORT IN TIMES TV

http://www.timesnow.tv/Political-divide-over-legality-deepens/articleshow/4321162.cms

"Kamal Farooqui, Member, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, speaking against the judgement said, "This judgement is just to please our western and american friends. In Indian socieity this is not accceptable whether Muslim or Hindu. Basically we are a religious society. Our temperament is that homosexual act is an unnatural act."

Amar singh, General Secretary, Samajwadi Party, also speaking against the high court order said that the party does not support homosexuality or sexual relations between the same sex."

Meanwhile, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, Islamic scholar, said, "As far as the practice of homosexuality is concerned, I think that is completely wrong."

Acharya Giriraj Kishore, VHP Leader, not in favour of the judgement said that the high court order is unfortunate and that it would destroy the society."

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http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Religious-leaders-disapprove-HC-judgement-on-homosexuality/484077

Indian Express

RELIGIOUS LEADERS DISAPPROVE HC JUDGEMENT ON HOMOSEXUALITY

Posted: Thursday , July 02, 2009 at 1326 hrs IST New Delhi:

Certain religious leaders on Thursday strongly disapproved of the Delhi High Court judgement which legalised gay sex among consenting adults. "This is absolutely wrong to legalise homosexuality. We will not accept any such law," Jama Masjid Imam Ahmed Bukhari said. He also critcised the government for trying to amend the Indian Penal Code to scrap section 377 that criminalizes homosexuality. "If the government makes such attempt to scrap the Section 377, we will oppose it strongly," Bukhari said.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahli said homosexuality is not allowed by any religion. "It is against all religions. It is against the culture of Indian society. We feel there is no need to legalise homosexuality. This practice is unnatural. It should continue as a criminal act," he said. Father Dominic Immanuel said that churches have no objection to decriminalisation of homosexuality but it should not be legalised. "We have no objection to decriminalisation of homosexuality because we do not consider these people as criminals on par with other criminals," Immanuel said.

However, churches do not approve of homosexual relations as ethical and moral right of the people, he said. "It is against nature.Our position is that homosexuality should not be legalised," he said, adding such practice will increase paedophilia and HIV/AIDS. The court said Section 377 of the IPC as far as it criminalises gay sex among consenting adults is violation of fundamental rights.

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The Hindu July 03, 2009

MUSLIM CLERICS DEPLORE HOMOSEXUALITY, LESBIANISM

by Atiq Khan

Lucknow: Taking a firm view that homosexuality and lesbianism threatened to destroy the already crumbling family system in the country, Muslim religious leaders are unanimous that consensual sex of this form should not be legalised in a multi-religious society such as India’s. The leading Islamic seminary, Darul Uloom - Deoband in Uttar Pradesh, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JeI) and the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) have struck a common chord on this issue. For them, the issue does not concern Islam alone as no other religion sanctions this form of sex.

Clerics told to unite

“The time has come for all religious leaders to unite on this issue and jointly protest the government’s proposed move to legalise gay rights. A consensus should be evolved for challenging the Delhi High Court order in the Supreme Court,” said Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umri, Amir (president) of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.

Questioning the right to freedom for consensual sex (homosexuality and lesbianism), the JeI chief said it would destroy the family system as has been the case in Western societies where consensual sex has been legalised.

‘Against Indian ethos’

“Homosexuality does not jell with India’s ‘mizaaj’ [cultural ethos] and cannot be tolerated in our society. Moreover, medical evidence has also been found of homosexuals being carriers of HIV-AIDS,” the Maulana said from the Jamaat office in Delhi. In Islam, homosexuality is treated as “gunaah” [sin], and is against the concept of a family as a unit. If the family is destroyed, the society gets disintegrated. This is the commonly-held view among Muslim clerics.

“Retain Section 377”

“Section 377 of the IPC should stay and nothing should be done by the government which legalised homosexuality,” said Maulana Abdul Rahim Qureishi, assistant secretary general and spokesperson of the AIMPLB while talking to The Hindu from Hyderabad.

He said it was the fallout, or even a manifestation of the promiscuity so prevalent in the West. “Consensual sex is one the reasons for the break-up of the family system in Western societies, mainly in Europe and the U.S.,” he added.

The Maulana did not rule out the possibility of the issue figuring in the one-day executive committee meeting of the Muslim Personal Law Board in Kozhikhode on July 12.

In Lucknow, the Naib (deputy) Imam of Aishbagh Idgah and AIMPLB member, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, said the Union government should ensure that no such law was framed in the country which legalised homosexuality. “No religion approves of unnatural form of sex; besides, the family cannot be expanded by indulging in homosexuality,” Maulana Rasheed said.

Verdict ‘disappointing’

The Maulana described the Delhi High Court verdict as “disappointing” and said it should be challenged in the Supreme Court. The Darul Uloom - Deoband had also voiced its concern over the prospect of gay laws being legalised.

Voicing the seminary’s view, the Deputy Rector, Maulana Abdul Khaliq Madrasi, had reportedly said: “Homosexuality is an offence under Shariat laws and prohibited in Islam.”

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YOGI SAYS IT’S A DISEASE, ASTROLOGER BRINGS IN ANIMALS: 377 GOES TO SC
 http://tinyurl.com/np2kde

LANDMARK GAY SEX RULING CHALLENGED IN INDIA’S SUPREME COURT BY AN ASTROLOGER LAWYER
 http://tinyurl.com/mj24b7

The Telegraph, 8 July 2009 HINDU GURU CLAIMS HOMOSEXUALITY CAN BE ’CURED’ BY YOGA The world’s most popular Hindu guru, Swami "Baba" Ramdev, has claimed homosexuality can be "cured" by yoga in a petition to India’s Supreme Court.
 by Dean Nelson
 http://tinyurl.com/krra94

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From: JIH NEWS [jihmedia (at)gmail.com]
 Sent: 09 July 2009 14:16
 Subject: Religious Leaders deplore Court Judgement which legitimises homosexuality

High Court Judgement which legitimises homosexuality; as shocking, deplorable and unfortunate: Indian Religious Leaders

New Delhi: The religious and social leaders regard the recent Delhi High Court Judgement which legitimises homosexuality; as shocking, deplorable and unfortunate. In the wake of this judgement, there have been attempts by various quarters to encourage and popularize unnatural sexual behaviour and perversions. Such unhealthy attempts are totally unacceptable in a country with rich cultural and ethical traditions. It is an undeniable fact that unnatural sex undermines the family system, corrupts the social atmosphere, leads to moral degradation and is injurious to health. The attempt to popularize unnatural inclination in the name of democratic rights is totally misguided. It must be realized that the domain of individual rights cannot be extended to include unnatural tendencies and perversions. The individual rights, as is well known, are not absolute but are subject to public order, morality and health. The social fabric cannot be permitted to be disrupted in the name of individual freedom.

The religious and social leaders demands that the government must intervene in the matter and declare in clear terms that unnatural sex is unacceptable and illegal. Individuals prone to perverted behaviours need counselling and treatment. They should not be harassed or victimized, rather they should be given all possible help to overcome the unnatural tendencies. At the same time; such perverted behaviours should not be legitimized. The religious leaders of the country call upon the people who believe in ethical, cultural and religious values to stand up against a calculated effort by some groups to impose upon us the corrupt the western value system to spoil the family system and social fabric of the country. We have decided to launch an all India campaign against such tendencies.

Addressed by:

• Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, Amir (President) Jamaat-e-Islami Hind,
• Shankaracharya Onkaranandji,
• Fr. Dr. Dominic Emmanuel, Spokesman and Director Delhi Catholic Archdiocese.
• Sardar Tarsem Singh, Chairman Parcharak Committee, Delhi Sikh Guruduwara Parbandhak Committee.
• Acharya Lokesh Muniji.

Religious leaders press conference in Delhi

This Press-Statement is issued in the press conference held today at Press Club, New Delhi at 12:30 pm.

JIH NEWS, 317-D Abul Fazl Enclave, Jamia Nagar, Okhla, New Delhi-25, Phone: 011-26951409 / 011-26948341