Responding to the call of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, religious leaders of various faiths on July 22 gathered at the headquarters of Jamaat in the national capital and expressed their grave concern on the issue of homosexuality and the petition in the Supreme Court against the abrogation of Article 377.
All the leaders from different faiths condemned the silence and neutral stance of the government over the petition against Article 377 and said this silence of the government is against religious traditions and ethics of the country. They also decided to issue a joint statement to the press on this issue. It was also decided to have a joint press conference on this issue.
Religious leaders firmly believe in the fundamental rights of all citizens and freedom and rights of minorities. However, they are concerned over the hurting of religious sentiments and opening the doors of sexual anarchy in the name of Fundamental Rights.
President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari presided over the meeting. Other religious leaders who spoke on the occasion included Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj, Head Priest Thakur Dwara Mandir; Giani Ranjit Singh, Head Priest Gurudwara Bangla Sahib; Dr. M.D Thomas, Founder / Director Institute of Harmony and Peace Studies New Delhi; Father Felix Jones and Father Stanley, Catholic Priests; Dr. A.K. Merchant, representing the Bahai Faith, and Bikshu Ashwaghosh, representing Buddhism.
From Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Vice President, Maulana Nusrat Ali, Secretary General Dr. Muhammad Salim Engineer, National Secretaries Maulana Muhammad Rafiq Qasmi and Maulana Muhammad Iqbal Mulla were also present.