‘Will We Also Legalise Animal Sex?’: Islamic Groups Ask, Oppose Decriminalisation of Homosexuality

Even as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) activists celebrated positive comments of the Supreme Court on striking down Section 377, some Islamic and Christian groups have come in support of the colonial ear law, India Today has reported. These religious group had condemned the Delhi High Court's ruling in 2009 and termed it a result of international influence.

"Homosexuality is an abomination as per the Bible. The act of sodomy, as per the Christian philosophy, faith, belief and sentiments of Christian religion as a whole is a most contemptuous sinful act," said Manoj V George, lawyer for Apostolic Churches Alliance to India Today.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Sayyed Qasim Rasool Ilyasi said, "We will become a party in the case and oppose the plea. Homosexuality is unethical and is against all religious faiths. If it is legalised, it will create problems in society".

Maqsood Ul Hasan Qasmi, President of Imam Council of India has supported IIyasi's view. He said,"After some years we may find some people who want to do animal sex. Do we think it is their right to choose what they want? Will it be correct if some people demand to legalise it?".

The court had earlier termed that protection of sexual orientation as a key part of fundamental right in its observations while hearing the matter in 2013.

While the government has left the decision on the Supreme Court, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh says it is in favour of decriminalising homosexuality.