Apex Muslim body rejects UCC, objects bid to scrap Place of Worship Act, but supports switching over to any religion

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) in a crucial meeting on Sunday deliberated upon the political tantrum on Uniform Civil Code (UCC), hate speeches as well the BJP’s attempt to scrap Places of Worship Act 1992 while urging the Supreme Court to take note of systematic sidelining of minority community and weaker sections of society.

The apex Muslim forum, however, clearly stated that it would oppose the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), calling it an “unnecessary” and nearly impossible to implement in a diverse country like India.

The meeting, which was also attended by All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, was organised at the Islamic Seminary Nadwatul Ulama in Lucknow. The AIMPLB has 51 executive members including AIMIM chief Owaisi.

It said that the move is directed to create further fissures in the society,  alleging that the proposition will take away personal laws of several religious, caste and communities.

Notably, the Law Commission has conceded the contention of  AIMPLB with regard to the UCC acknowledging that a common law is not practicable in diverse country like India.

In past also, the AIMPLB said that a detailed note on the questions raised by the Law Commission has been submitted to the government. The issues pertained to inheritance, adoption, custody of children, making a will, difference in interpretation of Islamic laws among various sects and model nikahnama, said the Board.

The Board on several occasions has made it clear that the Muslims cannot tweak their personal laws at will as it is based on Quranic injunctions and the Hadith.

The Board said bringing the uniform civil code would deprive citizens of the privileges given to them by the constitution. “Such a code is neither relevant nor beneficial for a multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-lingual country like India,” the Board said in a release.

The UCC will combine the Hindu Marriage Act, Hindu Succession Act, Indian Divorce Act, Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act and Indian Christian Marriages Act. Currently, different religions in India are under different personal laws.

On Conversion 

On conversion, the AIMPLB clearly said that religion is matter of belief and conscience. Hence, the decision to follow a religion is natural.

The Constitution honours this as a fundamental right and so everyone has freedom to follow a religion of his choice. It is unfair to use force or money to influence an individual in this matter.

“However, in many states, laws have been made to deprive citizens of this very basic right. This is totally unacceptable. Yet, those who willingly choose to switch from one religion to another are free to do so,” said the AIMPLB.

Places of Worship Act

The AIMPLB objected to BJP’s bid to bring a private member bill in Parliament to scrap the Places of Worship Act 1992. It also urged the courts to take note of atrocities on minorities and weaker sections since the judiciary is the last hope of all citizens.

AIMPLB Member Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali said that issues faced by the community including conversion and the Gyanvapi case would also be discussed.