‘Why a Big No to Uniform Civil Code’ by Dr Javed Jamil presents well-researched arguments backed by facts and logical reasoning
Abid Faheem
THE beauty of India, as recorded by countless philosophers, writers, and poets, lies in its diversity. Indians take pride in their multicultural society, where people of different faiths coexist while respecting each other’s sentiments. However, this very fabric of unity has repeatedly come under attack. In recent years, a carefully orchestrated environment of hate has sought to marginalise Muslims — the country’s second-largest religious group — by targeting their identity, culture, and religion. A key element of this campaign is the push for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a move aggressively pursued by BJP-led states and the central government. On January 27 this year, Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to enact its version of the UCC — a law threatening the essence of India’s pluralistic ethos.
While the dangers of the UCC are evident, there has been a lack of a comprehensive, well-researched critique addressing its social, religious, and health-related consequences. This absence has led to limited awareness and, consequently, a weak opposition to the law. Recognising this gap, Dr Javed Jamil — renowned for his innovative and solution-oriented scholarship — has authored a timely and indispensable book, “Why a Big No to Uniform Civil Code.”
In this critical work, he lays out a compelling case against the UCC, arguing that its implications are not just a concern for Muslims but for anyone who values peace, social harmony, and the integrity of India’s diverse traditions.
Dr Jamil is a prolific author, thinker, and medical professional. With over 20 books to his credit, he has gained international recognition for his extensive work in various fields, especially Economics, Applied Islamics, Health and International Affairs. One of his popular theories has been what he terms Economic Fundamentalism — the commercialization of human vulnerabilities, which he argues has led to widespread social and health crises. In his latest book, he applies this framework to expose the underlying agenda behind the UCC and its potentially disastrous consequences.
Divided into 13 chapters spanning 234 pages, “Why a Big No to Uniform Civil Code” presents well-researched arguments backed by facts and logical reasoning. The book begins with an introduction to the concept of UCC, tracing its historical roots, from BR Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru’s advocacy for it to its resurgence in the aftermath of the Shah Bano case in 1985. The author categorises three primary forces that have consistently pushed for the UCC:
1. Hindutva Group, who view it as a tool to target Muslims and Islam.
2. Corporate interests, which perceive traditional family and moral values as barriers to market expansion.
3. Left-liberal groups, who, in their rejection of religion, often compromise on fundamental human dignity under the guise of freedom and progress.
Dr Jamil meticulously examines the rise of economic fundamentalism, showing how it has eroded moral, social, and religious values, turning everything into a commercial enterprise —whether it be the commodification of sex, the promotion of drug addiction, or the objectification of women. He argues that such trends have led to severe public health crises and widespread societal damage with almost a complete destruction of the family system in the Western world. Using data from Worldometer Statistics, the author presents compelling evidence to question why the most technologically advanced nations suffered the highest COVID-19 mortality rates. For instance, in developed countries, the United States recorded a maximum of 1,219,487 total deaths, with 3,642 per million deaths, while Greece saw 3,671 per million. In contrast, Muslim-majority countries reported significantly lower figures, with Saudi Arabia recording 269 per million deaths, Afghanistan 196 per million, and Uzbekistan only 48 per million. Even in India, where the family system remains relatively strong, the toll stood at 379 per million deaths.
These statistics lead Dr Jamil to a thought-provoking inquiry: Why did countries with advanced healthcare systems suffer the most? His analysis suggests that the weakening of family structures, moral decline, and the normalisation of self-destructive behaviours played a significant role. He argues that unregulated freedom, without consideration of its societal and health implications, is a corporate-driven conspiracy against public well-being.
A significant portion of the book — four critical chapters — compares the Islamic and Western social frameworks. Dr. Jamil argues that while the Western model has contributed to the deterioration of individual and societal well-being, the Islamic model offers a more balanced and holistic alternative. He highlights key aspects of Islamic social laws, including the rights of women in Islam, the debate between polygamy and promiscuity, the concept of divorce and the rights of widows, inheritance laws, the significance of Mehr (dower), and the importance of the girl child, among other aspects. His argument, accompanied with data, shows that Islam provides the most protective system for women and children, both in terms of health and social welfare. So, there is no question of accepting any changes that deviate from fundamental Islamic principles.
These chapters also cover a critical aspect of health and well-being —a holistic regime of hygiene that encompasses external physical hygiene, internal physical hygiene, sexual hygiene, mental hygiene, spiritual hygiene, and environmental hygiene. This comprehensive classification of hygiene, which safeguards against numerous diseases, is an original contribution by Dr. Jamil, offering a holistic approach to health and well-being.
While the book primarily focuses on the social, religious, and health perspectives of the UCC, it also addresses key legal arguments. Dr. Jamil challenges the claim that the UCC is about legal uniformity, highlighting that even India’s criminal laws and state powers are not uniform. He further critiques recent legal modifications that disproportionately impact Muslims, such as Love Jihad laws, the increase in marriage age, the Triple Talaq law, the two-child policy, and the recent Waqf Amendment Bill of 2024. He argues that these measures are part of a systematic effort to suppress Muslim identity and cultural practices.
Dr Jamil also addresses the often-cited narrative by Hindutva groups that secular political parties engage in “Muslim appeasement.” He debunks this claim as mere political tokenism, arguing that, in reality, Hindu religious projects receive far greater state support — something he terms “Hindu pampering.” He provides several examples, including government investment in the construction of the Ram Mandir, the sanctioning of ₹133 crore for Diwali celebrations in Uttar Pradesh in 2017, and the recent allocation of ₹5,000 crore for the Mahakumbh in 2025.
In his concluding chapter, Dr. Jamil poses crucial questions: If the UCC is implemented, what will be its ultimate objective? Will it truly promote justice, or will it be driven by market forces under the guise of gender equality? He warns that both Hindu and Muslim family structures will be deeply affected, leading to irreversible social consequences. He asserts that the Muslim community will strongly oppose every attempt to introduce the UCC through all possible democratic means.
Dr Jamil’s book is arguably the most comprehensive critique of the UCC to date. Through meticulous research, logical reasoning, and an interdisciplinary approach, he dissects the socio-political, religious, and health implications of this law. This book is a must-read — not just for Muslims, but for Hindus, policymakers, and anyone concerned about India’s future.
With its depth of analysis and clarity of argument, “Why a Big No to Uniform Civil Code” stands as a significant intellectual contribution to the ongoing debate. It is a powerful call to action against a law that threatens the very foundation of India’s pluralistic identity.
Book Price: Rs 410/- (Currently available at 300/)
ISBN (Paperback) 978-93-342-2639-3
Those interested can communicate with WhatsApp Number: 91-8130340339.
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Abid Faheem is a PhD Scholar at the Centre of Social Medicine & Community Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
