Expressing a strong objection over Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi’s remarks over the Supreme Court (SC) ruling declaring homosexuality as illegal, Haryana khaps have threatened to launch a campaign against the Congress and its leaders over the issue if they place the matter before the Parliament with an intention to amend or delete the provisions of Section 377 of IPC.
Om Prakash Dhankhar, Chief of Dhankhar Khap and coordinator of Sarva Khap Panchayat, said the khap representatives were shocked over the statements issued by Sonia Gandhi and other Congress leaders in favour of consensual sex between adults of the same gender.
In her statement after the ruling of the apex court, Sonia Gandhi had expressed disappointment over the order which declared homosexuality as illegal. Describing the statements favouring homosexuality as ‘anti-custom’, Dhankhar said such sort of remarks from established political leaders would instigate the youths to indulge in this unnatural offence causing adverse effect on social setup in future.
“Homosexuality is such a sordid offence which is not only against our century-old social custom but also is not acceptable in any community or religion hence we hail the verdict of the SC and wish that homosexuality shall carry on as an offence with existing provisions in Section 377 of Indian Penal Code,” said the khap leader.
Dhankhar informed that the khaps were planning to convene a state-level meeting of various khap leaders in Sonepat soon to discuss the issue and to decide further course of action against the congress if it tried to amend the existing provision of section 377.
Dada Baljeet Singh Malik, chief of Gathwala Khap, said those who were opposing the Supreme Court decision over homosexuality were influenced by the western culture that was not acceptable at all in Hindu religion.
“We shall register a stiff opposition if any effort is made to legalise the unnatural sex as such things lead to unethical practices and are detrimental to the social ethos. The Supreme Court has rightly termed the same sex as illegal,” said Malik.
Dilawar Singh, a leader of Sangwan Khap, said “Since the homosexuality is contrary to our social norms and the khap panchayats are working to protect the social traditions hence we oppose the move being carried out in favour of sex between adults of the same gender.”