By TwoCircles.net News Desk
New Delhi: In a boost to the movement of religious communities against the Delhi High Court order legalizing homosexuality, the Supreme Court yesterday issued notice to the Union Government on a special leave petition challenging the Delhi Court order.
The apex court Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam has also sought response from Naz Foundation, the main petitioner before the High Court, besides several other respondents. The Bench has fixed July 20 for next hearing.
The Delhi High Court on July 2 had declared Section 377of the Indian Penal Code unconstitutional and decriminalized gay sex among consenting adults. Various religious groups have openly condemned the High Court order and demanded the Union Government to intervene and keep the Section 377 intact.
Hindu Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and astrologer Suresh Kumar Kaushal have challenged the order in the Supreme Court. The apex court has issued notice on the petition by Kaushal.
Muslim community has strongly condemned the Delhi High Court order. Several Muslim organizations including All India Muslim Majlise Mushawarat, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Jamiat Ahle Hadees have issued statements condemning the order.
Only yesterday at Press Club of India Jamaat-e-Islami Hind had called a joint press conference of different religious communities. The conference was addressed by Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umri, President, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Shankaracharya Onkaranandji, Jain leader Acharya Lokesh Muniji, Sikh leader Sardar Tarsem Singh and Fr. Dr. Dominic Emmanuel. They issued a joint press statement to condemn the order and demand the government to intervene.