NEW DELHI, Jan 28: All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and several Muslim organisations have strongly condemned the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand, calling it deeply “unfortunate and harmful to the country.”
The Muslim leaders have also raised concerns over the Joint Parliamentary Committee’s (JPC) actions on the Waqf Bill, accusing it of violating democratic values and exceeding its limits.In a joint statement, the AIMPLB and various Muslim organisations asserted that the UCC law in Uttarakhand is undemocratic, unconstitutional, and an assault on the fundamental rights of citizens. They stated that the law is “absolutely unacceptable” as it undermines the freedom of citizens, including Muslims, to practice their religion and follow its teachings, which are guaranteed by the Constitution.
“The Constitution of the country guarantees all citizens, including Muslims, the freedom to practice their religious beliefs and follow religious teachings. Muslim personal law is an integral part of Islam, which is protected under the Shariat Application Act, 1937,” said the AIMPLB in a statement.
It further argued that no state has the right to implement a Uniform Civil Code.The Muslim leaders reiterated that they would challenge the UCC law in court, with the AIMPLB having decided to do so during its meeting in Bengaluru. The statement also referenced a joint press conference held last July where leaders of various communities, including Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Dalits, and Adivasis, made it clear that they would never accept the UCC under any circumstances.
Modi congratulates Uttarakhand for implementing UCC
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which was implemented in Uttarakhand a day ago, has the same team spirit as sports.
Speaking at the inauguration of the National Games at the Rajiv Gandhi international cricket stadium here, he congratulated the Uttarakhand government for implementing the UCC and described it as a “historic step”.“UCC has the same team spirit as sports and discriminates against none,” Modi said.
Uttarakhand on Monday became the first state in independent India to implement the law.The UCC gives priority to protection of personal rights and regulates the laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships, among others in the state.The Uniform Civil Code Act, 2024, which applies to all residents of the state irrespective of their religion, also bans polygamy and child marriage.The Act, however, does not apply to the Scheduled Tribes notified under Articles 342 and 366 (25) of the Constitution and persons and communities protected under Part XXI. (PTI)