Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind organises a crucial meeting of members of Parliament and prominent leaders from the Muslim community on Uniform Civil Code
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Several members of Parliament and prominent leaders from the Muslim community met here on Tuesday to discuss concerns related to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), particularly its potential impact on the cultural and religious rights of the Muslim minority and tribal communities.
The crucial meeting was organised by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.
In his opening address, Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, emphasised that the implementation of the UCC might jeopardise the constitutional principles of religious diversity, minority rights, equality and justice. He stressed the importance of preserving India’s rich cultural and religious diversity while safeguarding the religious rights and interests of the Muslim community.
Advocate M.R. Shamshad delivered a comprehensive analysis through a Power Point presentation, shedding light on the possible pitfalls of the UCC. He specifically highlighted the potential adverse effects on Muslim women, illustrating how the proposed code could alter certain rights prescribed by the Muslim Personal Law (Shariah Act). He pointed out that the current Muslim Personal Law Act places the burden of supporting the entire family on the husband or father, whereas the UCC, based on the notion of so-called equality, would put the burden of maintenance equally between the husband and wife. Additionally, under the UCC, Muslim women would lose certain rights to property, such as mahar, inheritance, and marital property, as recognised under the existing personal laws.
The assembled parliamentarians pledged their support to uphold the values of secularism, inclusivity, and social integrity and criticised any attempts by the ruling party to politicise the issue. They emphasised the need for a thorough examination of the draft before its implementation.
Those who attended the meeting included parliamentarians Karti P. Chidambaram from Congress; Hasnain Masoudi from National Conference; Mehboob Ali Qaiser from Lok Janshakti Party; Dr. Muhammad Javed from Congress; Kunwar Danish Ali from BSP; E.T. Muhammad Bashir and Abdul Samad Samdani from Indian Union Muslim League; and Imran Pratapgarhi from Congress.
In addition, representatives from selected Muslim organisations, including Saadatullah Hussaini, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Malik Mohtsham, Naib Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maulana Asghar Ali, Imam Mehdi Salafi, Amir Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith Hind, and Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui, Secretary Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Owais Sultan were also present.
