NEW DELHI, Oct 13: The Law Commission’s decision to invite views on the contentious Uniform Civil Code today drew criticism from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and other Muslim organisations which said they will boycott it and accused the Modi Government of waging a “war” against the community.
As the Muslim outfits claimed a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will “kill” India’s pluralism, right wing organisations like BJP and Shiv Sena, long-time votaries of a common code, strongly supported the Government’s decision, insisting it would bolster gender equality and end discrimination against women.
Centrist parties like Congress and JD(U) said the idea of UCC was “unimplementable” and accused the BJP-led Government of trying to polarise the people ahead of the assembly polls in several states, including key battle ground state Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing a press conference here, the AIMPLB members and representatives of Muslim organisations contended the UCC, if implemented, will paint all people in “one colour” which will threaten the country’s pluralism and diversity.
Trashing Government’s stand on the issue of triple talaq, the outfits claimed the community has reported lesser number of divorce cases vis-à-vis other communities, especially the Hindu community which, they said, has reported higher divorce ratio according to Census 2011.
AIMPLB general secretary Wali Rehmani, Jamiat-Ulema -e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani and representatives of other bodies said all the Muslim sects and its women were “one” on these issues.
They said the outfits will launch a campaign to create awareness among Muslims from today, beginning with a gathering in Lucknow.
The Board members, however, admitted that there were “flaws” in the personal laws governing Muslims and they were addressed from time-to-time.
They said the country is facing problems on various fronts including the LoC and issues like killings elsewhere.
“This is all destructive. The Government should try to fix this and ensure peace than seeking views on issues like UCC,” Madani said.
Contrary to the Commission’s claim that the step is an “endeavour” to address discrimination against vulnerable groups and harmonise the various cultural practices, Rehmani said when implemented the UCC will bring to an end country’s pluralism and paint all in “one colour” and finish diversity.
“Also, we don’t want the practice of triple talaq to be abolished. There are more divorces in other communities. Rather the highest rate, which is double that of Muslims, is among Hindus,” he claimed.
As the Muslim outfits panned the Government’s action, Congress said enforcement of a Uniform Civil Code was impossible, while BJP claimed it was aimed at moving towards a progressive society.
Other opposition parties like JD(U) accused the Modi Government of trying to polarise people ahead of the Assembly polls in several states.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi said bringing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will “kill” the diversity and plurality of India. He, however, said his party will “certainly” respond to the questionnaire.
“If you enforce something in the name of Uniform Civil Code, then it will kill the diversity and plurality of the country. It’s not right to look at it from a Muslim perspective because Indian diversity also comprises Dalits and Tribals. There are different traditions in Hinduism as well,” he said.
The Hyderabad MP said the Government’s “real agenda” was to focus on Muslims and polarise the society.
Reacting to the issue, former Law Minister and Congress leader Veerappa Moily said it will be difficult to implement UCC in a country like India where various communities and groups are governed by personal laws.
“In a country of this nature, implementation of Uniform Civil Code is next to impossible,” he said, adding no one should take it as a communal agenda or a Hindu versus Muslim issue. He said 200-300 personal laws exist in India covering various communities.
BJP national secretary Sidharth Nath Singh said the Law Commission is taking opinion of all the stakeholders on the issue following which it will form a “considered opinion” and give it to the Supreme Court.
“Now it is for the Muslim Personal Law Board to consider whether they want to be part of the stakeholders or they want to be an individual identity… If Personal Law Board people are misinformed, I cannot do much about it,” he said.
Singh also referred to some international declarations and countries like Turkey, Iran and Indonesia, saying they changed law to ensure gender equality. He said it was a move towards building a progressive society.
Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut said, “For how long the Muslims will stay away from the national mainstream. The Muslim Law Board should support the UCC as it will help the community, especially the women to come out of misery.
“Our party’s stand is ‘one code, one law’ and it should be viewed as a national issue rather than religious one.”
JD(U) MP Ali Anwar asked the Government why it was only focusing on Muslims and said it is not the time to start such a debate. “They want to polarise the society.”
Meanwhile, women members of the Board contended that contrary to perception, the personal law balances rights of Muslim women and men “very well” and that there is no need for change.
“There is no need for any reform in the law. Triple talaq is not an issue and the Government’s move to impose UCC intends to snatch our religious freedom guaranteed in the Indian Constitution. That’s the reason we are fighting for our rights,” Aasma Zehra, a Board member, said.
In a statement issued later, the Board alleged that the Commission’s decision to seek public feedback on UCC was a “calculated” move aimed at disrupting communal harmony and urged all “secular” parties to oppose the step.
It alleged that the questionnaire highlighted the “ulterior” intentions of the Commission and an attempt was being made to “nullify” the Muslim Personal Law.
It also termed the questionnaire as “vague and confusing” and one giving impression that personal laws are responsible for social inequalities and gender disparities and have “nullified” the rights of women.
The Law Commission had on October 7 sought feedback from public on whether the practice of triple talaq be abolished and whether a uniform civil code should be optional. (PTI)
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