PM Modi's pitch for UCC triggers debate; Muslim Personal Law Board to fight proposal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pitch for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has triggered a debate between the BJP and the opposition parties, who term the proposal "an attack on India’s pluralism and diversity." 

This comes as reports emerge that the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) held an emergency online meeting late on Tuesday evening after the Prime Minister's address in Bhopal. It was decided in the meeting that the Board will oppose the UCC, reported Hindustan Times.

According to the reports, AIMPLB president Saifullah Rehmani and Board members and lawyers, who attended the meeting, decided to present their views more powerfully in front of the Law Commission. Documents to be submitted to the Law Commission were also finalised at the meeting.

AIMPLB member and Islamic Centre of India chairman Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali told Hindustan Times, "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."

He added that the Board has decided to fight the proposal tooth and nail and is in the process of chalking out a strategy to counter the proposed move of the government by presenting our view in front of the law commission more powerfully. 

Meanwhile, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has also targeted Modi for batting for the UCC, claiming the Prime Minister was trying to bring in a 'Hindu Civil Code.' "India's Prime Minister is now talking about Uniform Civil Code. Are you going to snatch away pluralism, diversity in the name of Uniform Civil Code?" Owaisi told reporters.

"They will treat all Islamic references of practices as illegal and the Prime Minister will protect Hindu practices under the law," he alleged.

Questioning whether the BJP would abolish the 'Hindu Undivided Family" (HUF), Owaisi said Modi should speak about the intention to bring in the UCC in Punjab and see what would be the reaction. "Prime Minister, I am saying again, wants to talk about Hindu Civil Code, wants to bring it. That is his purpose. The purpose is to target India's Muslims and humiliate them," he said. He alleged that Modi does not accept uniformity and equality and wants to give exceptions to Hindus and outlaw Muslim religious practices. 

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram too hit out the PM's statement, drawing a comparison between a family and the nation to justify UCC. In a tweet, the former Union Minister said: "The Hon'ble PM has equated a Nation to a Family while pitching for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). While in an abstract sense, his comparison may appear true, the reality is very different. A family is knit together by blood relationships."

He added that a nation is brought together by a Constitution which is a political-legal document and the UCC cannot be forced. "Even in a family there is diversity. The Constitution of India recognised diversity and plurality among the people of India A UCC is an aspiration. It cannot be forced on the people by an agenda-driven majoritarian government.

Chidambaram also urged Modi to read the report of the last Law Commission which pointed out that the UCC was not feasible at this time. "The nation is divided today owing to the words and deeds of the BJP. A UCC imposed on the people will only widen the divisions," he added.

BJP reacts to Owaisi's comment

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia has hit out at Asaduddin Owaisi, stating that he reads the Quran but not the Constitution.

"If Owaisi's degree is not fake, then at first he should advise the Law Commission as sought till July 14," the BJP spokesperson said at a television news debate. "All those who are slamming UCC should give their suggestions to the commission," the BJP leader said.