Bishop Thomas Dabre of Poona Diocese, head of Pune Catholic Church, said, “This will lead to utter chaos. It will hamper family structure, integrity of human beings and shatter the morality. We will definitely voice our protest though various means. In Pune, I am planning to talk with other religious leaders and decide on our future course of action.”

Dabre said he was of the opinion that homosexuality is an abnormality. “Such people need to be guided. Such ideas are imported from the West and Indian culture doesn’t approve of it.”

Mufti Mohammed Shakir Khan of the Ikramah Education Society, Kondhwa, agreed with Dabre’s opinion.

“It’s absolutely against the nature. Same-sex relationships can’t be accepted. We strongly oppose it and will decide any future course of action in consultation with our religious heads.”

Meanwhile, BJP city unit vice-president Sandeep Khardekar said his party is yet to come out with a formal response, but added that approving homosexuality is undoubtedly against the Indian culture and will shatter the social fabric if legalised.

“Homosexuality may be a reality, but let it remain within closed doors. Let them not come out in the open. It will shatter the social fabric of our system.”

Supporters, however, felt that even if there needs to be a debate over the issue, it should be a constitutional one and a not religious one. “Neither is our Constitution based on any religious directives nor is the government run by any religious dictator. Then why should we have a religious debate at all on the whole issue?” asked Jasmir Thakur, director, Sambhavana, an NGO working among LGBT communities.

“We see it as a proud moment for the LGBT communities across the country. But, there is a long way to go before social acceptance. There are many religious leaders who have communities to come together and work towards their bigger goal — the social acceptance,” said Vijay Nair, director, Udaan, an NGO working with LGBT communities in the city.

City-based lawyer and activist Asim Sarode, added, “Though significant, this is a very tiny step. We have a long way to go. There are lots of issues like marriage rights, property rights, adoption rights, divorce and so on that need to be introspected.”