NEW DELHI: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind have raised objections to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on Uniform Civil Code, saying his assertion on a common law for an entire nation was “not in keeping with the spirit of the Constitution that provides protection and freedom for all to practice their religion and customary laws”.
JUH, the influential body of Muslim clerics, responded to the PM’s emphasis on UCC on a public platform as “uncalled for” as it comes at a time when the Law Commission has sought views of stakeholders and the general public on the issue before it begins a review of the matter.
Senior member and secretary of JUH, Niaz Ahmed Farooqui alleged that “the PM’s statements on UCC are a direct attempt to influence the Law Commission and build a public narrative on the subject. Being the PM of the country, this does not suit his stature and before going public on UCC like this he should have consulted the Law Commission on the appropriateness of raising the issue at this juncture”.
Interestingly, on Tuesday evening the All India Muslim Personal Law Board held a meeting to firm up its stand on UCC and draft a reply that would be sent soon to the Law Commission.
Sharing the emerging viewpoint of AIMPLB on the issues raised by the PM, its spokesperson SQR Ilyas said, “The PM’s remarks on UCC to emphasise on one nation, one law is not in keeping with spirit of the Constitution which through exemptions in various provisions creates room for diversity and federalism to make its presence felt. In fact, there are examples like specific sections of the constitution extending protection to the tribes of the Northeast like the Nagas and Kukis to practice their customary laws.”
Farooqui added, “The PM while talking about UCC singled out Muslims but this is not about one community in a diverse country like India with so many religions, personal and customary laws.”
On the PM’s statement questioning the opponents of the government’s decision to make a law against instant triple talaq in 2019 and even thereafter, Farooqui responded with a counter question. “Now there is a law in place on the matter in India so what is the point of this discussion by the PM. As far as the position in Islam goes it is all for protecting the rights of women but this law while laying out punishment for the husband pronouncing triple talaq does not create any support system for the affected woman. Even the divorce laws applicable to the general population are not enabling and involve prolonged battles leaving women in the lurch. First the government must set all these things right,” he said.
Ilyas said, “The repeated emphasis on triple talaq makes it look as though it is very common among Muslims. In reality, this is far from the ground reality as divorce rates are low among Muslims and Islam considers divorce as the last resort in case of breakdown of a relationship.”
“On what other Mulsim countries are doing it is important to understand that there are different schools of thought in Islam and therefore all Muslim countries that abolished instant talaq long ago or don’t allow it would have done it according to their situation. Comparing countries on this matter is not proper,” he added.
JUH, the influential body of Muslim clerics, responded to the PM’s emphasis on UCC on a public platform as “uncalled for” as it comes at a time when the Law Commission has sought views of stakeholders and the general public on the issue before it begins a review of the matter.
Senior member and secretary of JUH, Niaz Ahmed Farooqui alleged that “the PM’s statements on UCC are a direct attempt to influence the Law Commission and build a public narrative on the subject. Being the PM of the country, this does not suit his stature and before going public on UCC like this he should have consulted the Law Commission on the appropriateness of raising the issue at this juncture”.
Interestingly, on Tuesday evening the All India Muslim Personal Law Board held a meeting to firm up its stand on UCC and draft a reply that would be sent soon to the Law Commission.
Sharing the emerging viewpoint of AIMPLB on the issues raised by the PM, its spokesperson SQR Ilyas said, “The PM’s remarks on UCC to emphasise on one nation, one law is not in keeping with spirit of the Constitution which through exemptions in various provisions creates room for diversity and federalism to make its presence felt. In fact, there are examples like specific sections of the constitution extending protection to the tribes of the Northeast like the Nagas and Kukis to practice their customary laws.”
Farooqui added, “The PM while talking about UCC singled out Muslims but this is not about one community in a diverse country like India with so many religions, personal and customary laws.”
On the PM’s statement questioning the opponents of the government’s decision to make a law against instant triple talaq in 2019 and even thereafter, Farooqui responded with a counter question. “Now there is a law in place on the matter in India so what is the point of this discussion by the PM. As far as the position in Islam goes it is all for protecting the rights of women but this law while laying out punishment for the husband pronouncing triple talaq does not create any support system for the affected woman. Even the divorce laws applicable to the general population are not enabling and involve prolonged battles leaving women in the lurch. First the government must set all these things right,” he said.
Ilyas said, “The repeated emphasis on triple talaq makes it look as though it is very common among Muslims. In reality, this is far from the ground reality as divorce rates are low among Muslims and Islam considers divorce as the last resort in case of breakdown of a relationship.”
“On what other Mulsim countries are doing it is important to understand that there are different schools of thought in Islam and therefore all Muslim countries that abolished instant talaq long ago or don’t allow it would have done it according to their situation. Comparing countries on this matter is not proper,” he added.
