AIMPLB calls Uniform Civil Code 'unconstitutional', 'anti-minorities move'

Follow us on

Terming the Uniform Civil Code 'an unconstitutional and anti-minorities move' and also reiterating its earlier stand, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Tuesday (April 26) called the rhetoric for bringing the law an attempt by Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Central government to divert attention from inflation, economy and rising unemployment.

AIMPLB appealed to the Centre to not undertake the Uniform Civil Code. 

Hazrat Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, General Secretary, of AIMPLB said in a press statement that the Constitution of India has allowed every citizen of the country to lead a life according to his religion, and it has been included in the Fundamental Rights.

Under this right, different personal laws have been kept for minorities and tribal classes according to their wishes and traditions, which does not cause any harm to the country.The Board said in its statement that it helps in maintaining mutual unity and mutual trust between majority and minority.

The Board said that the rhetoric of the Uniform Civil Code by the Uttarakhand or Uttar Pradesh Government or the Central Government is nothing but an attempt to divert attention from issues like rising inflation, falling economy and rising unemployment and to increase the agenda of hatred.

The AIMPLB said the matter has been brought up in order to divert attention from real issues and added that the decision is not acceptable to Muslims.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has appealed to the government to refrain from such actions. 

Notably, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also said a high-level committee will soon be set up to draft the UCC and communal peace in the state will not be allowed to be disrupted at any cost.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday (April 25) also said that the issue of implementation of UCC is being examined in the state. The Uniform Civil Code is a proposal in India to formulate and implement personal laws of citizens which apply to all citizens equally regardless of their religion, sex, gender and sexual orientation. 

ALSO READ: Examining possibility of implementing Uniform Civil Code, says Himachal CM Jai Ram Thakur

Currently, the personal laws of various communities are governed by their religious scriptures. The code comes under Article 44 of the Constitution which lays down that the state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India.

Notably, in Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto, BJP has promised the implementation of UCC if it comes to power.

In November 2021, the Allahabad High Court said the UCC is mandatory. This was stated by a single-judge bench of Justice Suneet Kumar, who was hearing a batch of 17 petitions, pertaining to protection sought by inter-faith couples.

In one of these pleas, one of the parties said they converted to the religion of his or her partner and thus apprehended a threat to their life, liberty and well-being.

While allowing the pleas, Justice Kumar observed that UCC cannot be made "purely voluntary" owing to fear expressed by members of the minority community.

(With agencies inputs)

ALSO READ: Uniform Civil Code to be implemented: Dhami's first announcement as Uttarakhand CM