The Aam Aadmi Party MP said the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) threatens the freedom of religious communities to follow their personal laws and customs
MUMBAI — Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has described the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as an attack on the Constitution and the rights of citizens, urging Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians to come together in opposition to it.
Singh made the remarks on Wednesday night during a meeting with Maulana Syed Moinuddin Ashraf, popularly known as Moin Mian, and other Muslim representatives at the Worli Qabrastan Committee office in Mumbai.
Singh was visiting Moin Mian to invite him to his daughter’s wedding. During the meeting, those present sought his views on the UCC, prompting him to speak at length about its implications for religious freedom and constitutional rights.
“Whether they are Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or Christians, everyone should come together to oppose it,” Singh said.
He described the UCC as another slogan of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), arguing that different religious and social communities in India follow their own customs and practices.
“Jains, Sikhs, Adivasis and all communities living in India have their own customs and religious practices, just as Muslims have their own religious rules. Some people marry by taking four pheras, others by taking seven, while followers of Islam solemnise their marriages through nikah,” he said.
Referring to the Constitution drafted under the leadership of B R Ambedkar, Singh said it guarantees people the freedom to follow their religious principles and practices.
He also referred to constitutional protections allowing religious communities to establish and maintain religious institutions and places of worship, and to manage their affairs.
“The Constitution gives followers of every religion the right to practise their faith according to its principles. It also gives them the right to establish places of worship, manage them and look after their affairs. The Uniform Civil Code is a major attack on these rights. Through its implementation, an attempt is being made to take away these constitutional protections,” he said.
Singh further argued that the proposed code could divide society and weaken the country.
Those present at the meeting included Maulana Syed Moinuddin Ashraf (Moin Mian), Maulana Sufi Muhammad Umar, Raza Academy chief Haji Muhammad Saeed Noori, Shabbir Ahmed Attari, Abu Bakr Attari, Maulana Abdul Rahim, Akram Khan, Ehsan Ahmed and Barkat, among others.
