Senior Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi today stirred a controversy by his comment that consensual sex between adults outside marriage was "polluting" Indian culture and neither Hindus nor Muslims will tolerate it.
He also said Islamic law provides for punishment for such conduct.
"In modern times, people have forgotten our culture and religion. Religion is important in India and no Hindu or Muslim will tolerate unmarried men and women cohabiting and doing things only married couples are supposed to do," Azmi, president of the Maharashtra unit of the party, said.
No decent, cultured family will allow their women to do such things. Islam provides for punishment for such conduct, he said.
"Today, America and other modern countries are beating 'Damru' (pellet drum) and drawing us towards their culture. Their culture is polluting our culture," he said.
Published 11 April 2014, 13:32 IST