Fresh UCC debate in MP as Muslim leaders oppose Bill, appeal for Delhi protest on Sep 17

Bhopal: A fresh debate over the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has begun in Madhya Pradesh, with Muslim leaders opposing the proposed common personal law framework and appealing to the community to participate in a September 17 protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

It has been nearly two months after the Madhya Pradesh Assembly passed the UCC Bill on July 21.

The legislation has been sent to the President for assent and is yet to come into force in the state.

Members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) held a meeting at its Khanugaon campus in Bhopal on Monday to discuss the UCC.

After the meeting, Bhopal City Qazi Mushtaq Ali Nadvi and Congress leader Arif Masood, an executive committee member of the AIMPLB, addressed a press conference and opposed the proposed law.

Nadvi said the Muslim community did not accept the UCC and questioned its necessity in view of constitutional guarantees on religious freedom and minority rights.

“The Constitution guarantees religious freedom and the rights of minorities, so the necessity and impact of the UCC need to be seriously considered,” the Bhopal City Qazi said.

He also referred to a 1972 speech by former RSS Chief late M S Golwalkar, claiming that Golwalkar had said a civil code was not essential for national unity.

Nadvi said matters related to Muslim personal law should be addressed by members of the community and those having knowledge of it.

He also rejected arguments that Muslim personal law was inadequate on women’s rights, saying Islam had granted women rights as mothers, daughters and wives, including rights in property.

He appealed to the Muslims and secular citizens to join the September 17 programme at Jantar Mantar, saying the community would follow further directions issued by the AIMPLB.

Masood said the Board had taken its position after consultations with people and organisations across the country.

“Five members associated with the Board in Madhya Pradesh deliberated on the issue and, with the Board’s approval, we are appealing to people of the state to join the movement at Jantar Mantar on September 17,” the Congress leader told IANS.

The issue has acquired greater political significance after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that the UCC would be introduced in all 21 states and Union Territories governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

The UCC Bills have already been passed in Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Assam and Madhya Pradesh, though the law is currently in force only in Uttarakhand.

Gujarat, Assam and Madhya Pradesh are awaiting the President’s assent and subsequent notification.

Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari also criticised the BJP over the UCC, alleging that the issue was being used to divert public attention from pressing economic and social concerns.

“UCC is a tool in the hands of the BJP to mislead the country and spread hatred,” Patwari told IANS.

IANS