Uniform Civil Code: Muslim law board convenes late-night meeting after PM Modi’s speech

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch in favour of the Uniform Civil Code, India's top Muslim body, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), convened a late-night emergency meeting on Tuesday. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, Livemint's sister publication, the Islamic personal law board has decided to oppose the UCC, which is aimed to dissolve all the personal laws based on caste, creed, religion, sexual orientation, and gender. UCC law aims to implement a set of common personal laws for all citizens of India.

During a virtual meeting, the AIMPLB president Saifullah Rehmani; Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, chairman of Islamic Centre of India and member of AIMPLB; and other members have decided to firmly present their views in front of the Law Commission.

Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali said that the Islamic Board has opposed the Uniform Civil Code and is chalking out a startegy to counter the proposed move.

"For the past several years, politicians have been raising the issue of the Uniform Civil Code just before the elections. This time too, the issue has come up before the 2024 elections," Mahali told Hindustan Times.

He said that UCC will not only affect Muslims but other religions too--Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Parsis, Jews, and other minuscule minorities and tribals.

"India is a country where language changes every 100 km. So, how can we have the same set of rules for all communities? Every community has a different way of praying, performing rituals, and conducting ceremonies like marriage. The freedom to practice one’s own faith and way of life is granted to everyone by the Constitution," Mahali added.

PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday pushed for the implementation of the UCC in the country and said Muslims are being instigated over the sensitive issue by the Opposition.

Addressing a gathering of party workers in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister said, "ou tell me, in a home, how can there be one law for one member and another law for another member? Will that home be able to function? Then how will the country be able to function with such a dual system? We have to remember that even in the Constitution, there is a mention of equal rights for all".

Attacking the opposition, PM said, "These people (opposition) level allegations against us but the reality is that they chant Musalman, Musalman. Had they really been (working) in the interests of Muslims, then Muslim families would not have been lagging in education and jobs".

Modi said in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, South India, especially in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, and a number of other states, many castes were left behind in development because of the policy of appeasement. He said those supporting triple talaq were doing grave injustice to Muslim daughters. "Triple talaq was abolished in Egypt 80-90 years ago. If it is necessary, then why has it been abolished in Pakistan, Qatar, and other Muslim-dominated nations?" PM

He said the Opposition is using the issue of UCC, which relates to a common law pertaining to marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance, and succession of property for all citizens, to mislead and provoke the Muslim community.