Gay ruling unites diverse religious leaders

New Delhi, July 9(ANI): Religious leaders from Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Sikh and Christian communities met in the national capital on Thursday to vehemently oppose the July 2 ruling of the Delhi High Court, which has been hailed by sections of the media and sociologists as a landmark court verdict towards legalizing same sex relationships.

They expressed concern that the ruling that gay sex was no longer a crime would erode moral values and Indian ethos.

"This is a conspiracy to finish the country's moral values and they are a part of it. We should be watchful and make sure an atmosphere is created sustaining our moral values and also avoiding such acts to take place," said Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, president of Jamaat- e-Islami Hind.

Father Dominic Emmanuel, Director of Delhi Catholic Archdiocese, said though they "sympathize" with the sexual minorities and would not want them hounded as "criminals", yet a legal immunity would be implied as promoting "unnatural" sexual relationships.

"I feel there is only a technical difference in it. Even they (religious leaders) say we do not consider them as criminals and express our full sympathy towards them (gays). But I feel in all religions it is considered a crime as it is unnatural," Emmanuel said.

Shankara Acharya Omkar Anandji claimed gay sex would place mankind on the path to doom.

"We believe that the ruling should be annulled else our future generations will be finished," said Anandji. (ANI)