The representatives of All Faith Forum (AFF), an organisation representing different religions in Kolkata, condemned the Delhi High Court’s verdict legalising gay sex between consenting adults saying that it will “force people into such behaviour”.

“The practice of homosexuality is a threat to the country’s culture and society. In the name of fundamental rights such verdicts are a curse on human beings,” said P S P Raju, former Bishop of Calcutta Diocese (CNI).

Vijay Chaturvedi Yogi, general secretary of AFF, said homosexuality is a disease and time has come to cure it. Other present at the conference were Maulana Rizvi, Quari Fazurul Rahman, Pandit Narayan Sehal, Buddhist monk Dr D Rewatha Thero and Jain leader Muni Mani Kumar Maharaj.

“Homosexuality infects the society. We cannot change the religious scriptures all of a sudden,” said Sehal.