Tag: Uniform Civil Code

Kerala Muslims UCC

Kerala: Muslim Groups To Put Legal, Political Fight Against UCC

By LokMarg

Representatives of major Muslim Organisations in Kerala decided to “fight” the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) legally and politically. The organisations, led by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), opined that if UCC is implemented, it will affect not just Muslims but others as well.

“UCC is not an issue of Muslims, it is of all people. We will unite all people against it and fight legally and politically,” said Indian Union Muslim League(IUML) state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal who attended the Tuesday’s meeting.
Senior IUML leader and MLA PK Kunhalikutty alleged that UCC is being used as a tool to divide people on communal lines.

Besides IUML the meeting was attended by two factions of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, factions of the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Muslim Education Society, and the Muslim Service Society.

On Wednesday, the Congress in Kerala is holding a meeting and is expected to discuss the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee meeting will be attended by all MLAs, MPs, district presidents and top office-bearers.

Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan had on Sunday alleged that BJP is bringing the UCC to divide people and said that there is no need for UCC at present.

“The Law Commission appointed by the central government itself has made it very clear that there is no need for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) at present. So we are also taking the same stand that there is no need for UCC at this point in time. BJP is bringing this matter to make a split among the people,” Satheesan told ANI here in Thiruvananthapuram.

The ruling party in Kerala, CPI(M), has also criticised the Prime Minister’s pitching for the UCC in the country. On Friday, CPI(M) leader and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is on the “electoral agenda” of the BJP.

“Triggering debates around Uniform Civil Code is an electoral ploy by Sangh Parivar to press their majoritarian agenda for deepening communal divide. Let’s oppose any attempts to undermine India’s pluralism and support reforms through democratic discussions within communities,” Kerala CM tweeted.

Kerala CM’s stand drew a sharp reaction from the BJP Kerala president K Surendran when he said, “CPI(M) has become a Muslim party. The latest example of this is Pinarayi Vijayan’s stand against the uniform civil code.”

He further alleged that the goal of the Chief Minister of Kerala is to polarise Muslims.

“Pinarayi Vijayan’s goal is the polarisation of Muslims. No Muslim parent will accept a triple talaq. Likewise, no Muslim parent will accept discrimination against girls in property rights,” said the Kerala BJP state president.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Law and Justice meeting was held on Monday to discuss the issue of the Uniform Civil Code.

Earlier, in an exclusive interview with ANI, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said that the uniform code is “the need of the hour that a law should be made by uniting and including all the people of the country and the Supreme Court has also endorsed many of its verdicts”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent strong endorsement of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) brought it back to the spotlight. PM Modi said that the country cannot run on two laws and that Uniform Civil Code was part of the Constitution.

“Today people are being instigated in the name of UCC. How can the country run on two (laws)? The Constitution also talks of equal rights…Supreme Court has also asked to implement UCC. These (Opposition) people are playing vote bank politics,” PM Modi had said. (ANI)

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VP dhankar on ucc

Time To Implement UCC: VP Dhankar

By LokMarg

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday said that the time has come to introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and emphasized that “any further delay in implementation of UCC will be corrosive to our values.”

Addressing the 25th convocation of IIT Guwahati vice President Dhankar stressed that Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are ‘fundamental in the governance of the country’ and it’s the duty of the State to make them into rules.
Mentioning that many DPSPs example panchayats, cooperatives and the Right to Education have already been translated into law, he underlined that it was time to implement Article 44 of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, cautioning against the attempts to tarnish the image of India and “frequent orchestration of anti-national narratives, Dhankar stressed, “It is high time choreographers of anti-Bharat narrative orchestration are effectively rebuffed.”

The Vice President also pointed out that “no foreign entity can be allowed to tweak with our sovereignty and reputation.”

Describing India as the oldest, largest, most functional & vibrant democracy that is giving stability to global peace and harmony, VP stressed, “We can not suffer dent on our flourishing and blossoming democracy and constitutional institutions.”

Noting that there is zero tolerance for corruption now, he called for making a corruption-free society.

“Corruption is anti-democratic, corruption is poor governance, corruption runs down our growth… a corruption-free society is the safest guarantee to your growth trajectory,” he said.

Vice President Dhankhar also expressed his disapproval of some people ‘taking to streets rather than taking recourse to lawful process’ when they are held up for corruption.

The Vice President also asked the students to take pride in being Indians and its historical achievements.

He further praised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and said that action, vision and execution are ingrained in Assam CM.

“Action, vision and execution are capsuled in Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. He exemplifies commitment to duty which is worth imitating,” Vice President said while addressing the 25th convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati.

He further said that he has Assam in his heart 24X7. His discourses on national and international issues are dictated by our interest, civilisation, a deep sense of propriety and ‘Bharat Mahaan Hai’.

“I am happy that I share with him one credential, we both happened to be lawyers at one point in time,” Dhankhar said.

In his convocation address, Dhankar also invited the attention of the students towards the need of being tolerant.

“We should also consider other points of view, as more often than not, another point of view is the correct point of view,” he said.

Governor of Assam, Gulab Chand Kataria, the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chairman Board of Governors, IIT Guwahati, Dr Rajeev Modi, Director IIT Guwahati, Prof Parameswar K Iyer, senior faculty members, students and other dignitaries were also present.

A total of 2011 students (1605 males and 406 females) from the Silver Jubilee batch of the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati received their degrees in various disciplines on Tuesday (4th July 2023) during the 25th Convocation Ceremony.

Significantly, the first convocation ceremony of the IIT Guwahati was held in 1999 where 63 students were handed over their degrees.

In the last 25 years, more than 20,000 students have graduated from IIT Guwahati. This year the Institute will mark its Convocation Silver Jubilee by enriching Science and Technology through the enhancement of knowledge and performing cutting-edge research where 1990 students will be graduating in the presence of their families, faculty, staff, and other dignitaries. (ANI)

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Vaghela meet with akhilesh

Vaghela Meets Akhilesh Amid Efforts At Oppo Unity For 2024 LS Polls

By LokMarg

Amid efforts at opposition unity for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela, who had campaigned for the Congress in the assembly polls in the state last year, met Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday.

Both Samajwadi Party and Vaghela, a former Congress legislative party leader in Gujarat, described it “courtesy meeting”.
“I have come here on a courtesy call…If there is any political talk, information will be shared,” Vaghela told ANI.

Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on Uniform Civil Code, Vaghela said, “It is their marketing-nothing else…”

Akhilesh Yadav was part of the mega conclave of opposition parties in Patna last month that was aimed at fostering unity for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had said after the meeting that they will fight the elections together and the discussions will be carried forward in another meeting of opposition parties in July.

There have been suggestions in the opposition camp that the largest and strongest party should lead the battle in a state.

Uttar Pradesh is among the states where opposition parties including the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, and Congress have clashing ambitions. Samajwadi Party appears keen to get the support of other national parties in its aim to win maximum Lok Sabha seats from the state.

It remains to be seen how many seats Congress would agree to fight if there is an understanding with Samajwadi Party for the Lok Sabha polls. The state has significance for the national ambitions of Congress while SP is also keen to emerge as a key player.

BSP leader Mayawati had taken a dig at the meeting of opposition parties in Patna and had referred to Uttar Pradesh which sends 80 MPs to Lok Sabha. She had said that it does not seem from the attitude of opposition parties that they are serious about their objective in Uttar Pradesh.

Vaghela’s meeting with Yadav,a former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, is being seen as politically significant.

Vaghela had experimented with a third force in Gujarat and formed Rashtriya Janata Party and Jan Vikalp Morcha and Praja Shakti Democratic Party. The octogenarian leader was the Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat assembly and resigned from the Congress in 2017. His son had joined the Congress ahead of the last assembly polls in Gujarat. Vaghela had broken away from BJP and became Chief Minister for almost a year in 1996. He also served as a union minister in the Manmohan Singh government. (ANI)

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Nitish Kumar

Nitish Ducks Question Over Uniform Civil Code

By LokMarg

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar evaded questions from reporters over the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying “Bahut garmi hai” (the weather is too hot), adding that the matter will be discussed later.

He was speaking to reporters in Bihar’s Patna on Sunday.

“Bahut garmi hai…sab baat hoga baad mein, abhi bahut garmi hai (It’s too hot. Let us talk about all matters later),” Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said when a reporter asked him about Uniform Civil Code.

His remarks came days ahead of a meeting of top Opposition leaders scheduled to take place in Bihar’s Patna on June 23. Notably, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has called this meeting to stitch a grand alliance against BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, JD(U), national president Lalan Singh said earlier.

Amid a raging debate on the need to introduce uniform laws for every citizen of the country, the Law Commission of India has solicited the views and ideas of the public and recognised religious organizations to examine the Uniform Civil Code, officials said on June 14.

A day after the Law Commission solicited the views and ideas of people and recognized religious organizations about the Uniform Civil Code, the Congress slammed the government over the move saying it represents the ruling BJP-led coalition’s “desperation for a legitimate justification of its continuing agenda of diversion from its glaring failures”.

In a statement, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the 21st Law Commission after carrying out a detailed and comprehensive review observed that it is “neither necessary nor desirable at this stage” to have a Uniform Civil Code.

He said the Law Commission has produced an enviable body of work over the decades on numerous issues of national importance.

“It should be mindful of that legacy and remember that the interests of the nation are distinct from the political ambitions of the BJP.”

A Law Ministry release said that the 22nd Law Commission of India is examining the Uniform Civil Code, a reference sent by the Ministry of Law and Justice.

It said since more than three years have lapsed from the date of issuance of the Consultation Paper, bearing in mind the relevance and importance of the subject and also the various court orders on the subject, the 22nd Law Commission of India considered it expedient to deliberate afresh over the subject.

As per the release, the Law Commission has given 30 days to the respondents to present their views on the UCC. (ANI)

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Muslim Board Passes Resolution Against Uniform Code, Calls It Unnecessary

Muslim Board Passes Resolution Against Uniform Code, Calls It Unnecessary

By LokMarg

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday passed a resolution at its executive meeting saying that the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was not possible as it would be an ‘unnecessary’ Act.

It added that the Places of Worship Act 1991, should be “maintained and well-implemented” and religious conversion was a matter of “Freedom of religion”.

“The executive meeting of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), was held in Navdatul Ulma, Lucknow under the chairmanship of Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi. Issues like Uniform Civil Code, and other matters related to Muslim Personal Law which are in court,” AIMPLB stated in a release.

The meeting was attended by Board president Rabey Hasani, vice president Arshad Madani, Board general secretary Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, and many others.

At the meeting of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, many important issues, including the Uniform Civil Code, were discussed.

It was said that ‘poison of hatred’ is being spread in the country, which is very ‘harmful’.

“People of different religions and beliefs have lived in the country over the years and have played an equal part in the country’s progress. If the brotherhood gets finished, it will be a huge loss for the country. So, we urge the government to work in extinguishing this fire of hatred,” the release stated.

Regarding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), AIMPLB said, “As per the Constitution of the country, every citizen has the freedom to practice his religion, it also includes his personal law. The government should respect religious freedom and implementing UCC would be an unnecessary act. In such a big country, where people follow many religions, such a law is not possible, and nor will it benefit the country.”

Another issue that was discussed in the meeting was The Places of Worship Act of 1991.

“It was discussed that The Places of Worship Act of 1991 is a law made by the government and passed by the Parliament. So, it is the responsibility of the government to maintain it,” the release stated.

On the issue of religious conversion, it said, “Religion is related to one’s personal belief. Also, the right to adopt any religion is a fundamental right in our Constitution, and every citizen is free to adopt any religion. But in some states, laws have been brought to deprive the citizens of this right, which is condemnable.”

AIPMLA also urged people from the Muslim community to establish as many educational institutions as possible, and work for the protection of culture and civilization. (ANI)

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BJP MP Meena UCC Bill

BJP MP Meena Introduces UCC Bill In RS

By LokMarg

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena on Friday introduced the ‘Uniform Civil Code in India Bill, 2020’ in the Upper House.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP presented the highly discussed Bill during private members’ business, while Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was ex-officio chairman, with an aim to carry forward the BJP’s promise to implement the Uniform Civil Code in the country.
The Uniform Civil Code is a proposal in India to formulate and implement personal laws of citizens which apply to all citizens equally regardless of their religion, sex, gender, and sexual orientation.

Currently, the personal laws of various communities are governed by their religious scriptures.

The code comes under Article 44 of the Constitution which lays down that the state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India.

Notably, in BJP’s 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto, the party promised the implementation of UCC if it came to power.

The Winter Session of the Parliament began on December 7 and will have 17 working days.

The government plans to introduce a total of 16 new Bills during the session according to the notified schedules. (ANI)

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Gujarat Announces Forming A Committee For Implementing UCC In State

By LokMarg

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Saturday announced forming of a committee for implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state.

The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting.
“Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, CM Bhupendra Patel has taken a historic decision in the cabinet meeting today – of forming a committee for implementing the Uniform Civil Code in the state,” said Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi.

Ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat, the state government announced to constitute of a panel to evaluate implementing the Uniform Civil Code in the state.

The committee is likely to be formed under a retired High Court judge.

Earlier the Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh governments had announced their decision to implement the Uniform Civil Code.

Uniform Civil Code is a proposal in India to formulate and implement personal laws of citizens which apply to all citizens equally regardless of their religion, gender, and sexual orientation.

Many political leaders have backed the UCC saying that it will bring equality to the country.

However, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has termed it “an unconstitutional and anti-minorities move”, and called the rhetoric for bringing the law an attempt by Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Central governments to divert the attention from the concerns of inflation, economy, and rising unemployment.

The Centre earlier this month told the Supreme Court that it could not direct Parliament to frame or enact any law on Uniform Civil Code in the country.

The Ministry of Law and Justice in its affidavit stated that the matter of policy is for the elected representatives of the people to decide and no direction in this regard can be issued by the Centre. “It is for the legislature to enact or not to enact a piece of legislation,” the ministry told the apex court.

Notably, in Bharatiya Janata Party’s 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto, BJP promised the implementation of UCC if it comes to power. (ANI)

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The Worsening Situation Amid Covid-19

‘After Love Jihad, BJP Will Rake Up Uniform Civil Code’

By LokMarg

Fawaz Aftab, 21, a Law student from Delhi, says BJP leaders should focus on the worsening situation amid Covid-19, instead of targeting Muslims. Aftab prays for India to remain a pluralistic society

If you think ‘Love Jihad’ is the end of it – by which I mean the state meddling into citizens’ private affairs – it will not be. It is just the beginning. This year people have already seen so much hardships due to the pandemic yet our authorities are more focussed on issues related to a particular community, Muslims.

First, there was no proper dialogue before imposition of CAA- NRC, then northeast Delhi faced communal violence, later the communalisation of Covid-19 where the whole Tableegi Jamat issue was tarred, then the Ram Janma Bhoomi shilanyas (which could have been handled a little more gracefully), and now the Love Jihad law. A person who follows news in depth knows what will be their next stop: Uniform Civil Code.

Many people feel that now inter-faith relationships and marriages will raise untoward suspicion because of the new law. However, as a law student I feel that people shouldn’t give in to fear easily. The Special Marriage Act (1954) is still valid and people can still go for inter-faith marriages. The law has been brought in to curb forced conversions, be they done by a person of any religion. However, when the UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath or other BJP leaders and even the media talk about it, they use the term ‘Love Jihad’ as if it is meant to put a complete stop to inter-faith relationships.

ALSO READ: ‘Love Jihad Kills Beti Bachao Spirit’

It is perhaps easier to distract people from mainstream issues by bringing issues of lesser importance to the surface. I wish the government initiated dialogues on topics it thinks deserve importance before bringing a law for it. And I also wish that the people didn’t react emotionally to any news that the media presents, and did some groundwork on their own.

Aftab would want India to remain a pluralistic society

One of the main problems I have with this law is the point that anyone wanting to convert into another religion would have to give it in writing to the District Magistrate at least two months in advance. I feel it is a direct violation of fundamental rights under Article 21. Love, marriage and practicing of one’s faith are personal matters and the government shouldn’t get involved in it I feel, at least in the beginning. If the marriages run into problems, then the government can take cognizance of the matter.

The term ‘ Love Jihad’ first started coming to light around 2009-10, but the UPA government took it for what it was, an exception. I feel the current government takes offence even where none is intended. Prior to 2014, Hindus and Muslims and people of all other faiths mostly identified as Indians first, but now I can see traces of hatred and an unwillingness to know about and understand different faiths.

ALSO READ: ‘When Will The Hounding Of Muslims Stop?’

I hope we still continue to hold on tightly to the idea of a pluralistic India and no matter how much the media or our politicians try to divide us, we don’t give in to hatred; we don’t do any such thing that allows hatred to become mainstream. In the long run we can only control how we behave and I on my part will keep contributing my love and understanding to my fellow countrymen and women.