Badruddin Ajmal, President of the All India United Democratic Front and Member of Parliament from Assam, accused BJP-run state governments of prioritising political gains over protection of minority rights.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The introduction of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the Uttarakhand Assembly on Tuesday has sparked concerns, with several Muslim leaders vehemently opposing the legislation.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s government tabled the bill, sparking intense debates and passionate arguments both in and outside the assembly.
Understandably, the unveiling of the bill prompted enthusiastic support from members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, this show of support was met with resolute opposition from Muslim leaders, setting the stage for a clash of ideologies and interests.
Leading the charge against the bill was Badruddin Ajmal, President of the All India United Democratic Front and Member of Parliament from Assam. Categorically denouncing the bill, Ajmal advocated its outright dismissal. He contended that the provision fundamentally contradicts the values of religious freedom and cultural diversity cherished by India.
Ajmal accused BJP-run state governments of prioritising political gains over protection of minority rights, alleging a deliberate agenda to appease Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a scathing critique, Ajmal also targeted Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of aligning with the prime minister’s agenda at the expense of minority communities. His remarks underscored deep-seated political divisions and suspicions surrounding uniform civil laws in India.
Ajmal emphasised the rich cultural tapestry of India and cautioned against the imposition of uniformity, arguing that such measures would erode the nation’s pluralistic identity. His impassioned plea resonated with many others, reflecting broader sentiments of resistance against attempts to homogenise India’s legal and social landscape.
Echoing Ajmal’s concerns, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, executive member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, expressed doubts about the practicality and fairness of implementing UCC in a diverse country like India.
He said a few communities would be exempted from it. “Will there be uniformity in all the laws that are there when this (UCC) comes? No, there won’t be uniformity at all. How can there be uniformity when you have exempted a few communities from it? Our legal committee will study the draft and will decide accordingly,” he said.
Mahali cautioned that uniformity in civil laws could overlook the unique needs and preferences of different communities, potentially exacerbating social tensions.
Maulana Arshad Madani, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) president, also voiced strong reservations about the UCC bill, asserting that it posed a direct threat to the principles of Shariah. Madani asserted that any law contradicting religious teachings would not be acceptable to the Muslim community.
Madani’s critique extended beyond religious concerns to broader constitutional questions, highlighting potential infringements on religious freedom and secularism in India. He said imposition of UCC would undermine the foundational principles of the Indian Constitution.
On the other hand, Samajwadi Party MP S.T. Hasan, said the UCC is against the tenets of the Qur’an, the holy book of the Muslims. “We won’t abide by it (UCC Bill) if it is against the ‘hidayat’ (instructions) given to Muslims in the Qur’an. We don’t have any issue if it is as per ‘hidayat’,” the MP said.
As the debate over the UCC continues, it is evident that the proposed legislation has become a flashpoint for broader societal tensions and political agendas. The ensuing discussions are likely to be heated, with the stakeholders fiercely advocating their respective positions. The fate of the bill remains uncertain, with significant implications for India’s cultural and religious diversity.
