Haridwar: Amid petitions seeking legalisation of same-sex marriages, saints of Haridwar will meet President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 10 to protest against such marriages. President of Akhara Parishad and secretary of Mahanirvani Akhara, Mahant Ravindra Puri on Sunday opposed same-sex marriages saying the law should never sanction such marriages. Also he has written to the Supreme Court judges appealing not to legalise such marriages.
Ravindra Puri said marriage is an ancient institution. The system of marriage or 'Panigrahan Sanskar', is mentioned in the scriptures. Many people have filed petition in the Supreme Court for legalising same-sex marriages but such marriage are against the Indian tradition, he said.
"How can a girl marry another girl and a man marry another man? It is neither constitutionally right nor genetically correct. The Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad strongly opposes this," said Ravindra Puri adding that they would meet the President and the Prime Minister on May 10 to express their opinion.
Earlier on April 27, the saints had written to the Chief Justice and other judges of the Supreme Court in this regard. They urged that the issue sould be considered very seriously. "Legalising same-sex marriages will prove to be very fatal for both the tradition and culture of the country," he wrote. This apart, he has demanded that the Chief Justice and other judges of the apex court give them an opportunity to present their opinion regarding recognition of such marriages.
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"All religions and societies have established the institution of marriage and family on the basis of their their beliefs and experiences. For this, the system of marriage and family has been nurtured by making rules and regulations. The concept, duty, law and prohibition regarding marriage and family have been continuing since ancient times and have now been imbibed into our subconscious self," Ravindra Puri said.
Ravindra Puri further suggested that issue should be left to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas to decide. There can be serious consequences if the decision is taken in haste, he said. Also, he stressed on seeking opinion from religious leaders and scholars.
