New Delhi, September 16 (Daily Kiran) : Maulana Arshad Madni, the president of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, has raised concerns regarding the central government’s plans for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). His comments follow Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement that the UCC will be implemented in all NDA-ruled states by 2029.
In a post on X, Madni questioned whether the nation would operate under its Constitution or follow the agenda of a political party. He asserted that enforcing the UCC is a calculated attempt to undermine the supremacy of the Constitution and the religious freedoms guaranteed to citizens. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind is committed to preserving the secular fabric of the country, democracy, and the rule of law. In this context, the organization has approached the Uttarakhand High Court, seeking justice against the UCC.
Madni noted that there have been six hearings in the Uttarakhand High Court, with senior advocate Kapil Sibal and others representing the Jamiat. He firmly stated that they cannot accept any law that contradicts Sharia. While Muslims can compromise on many issues, they will not compromise on their faith and religious principles. This issue transcends the existence of Muslims; it concerns their constitutional and religious rights. The government aims to strip Muslims of rights granted to them under the Constitution through the UCC.
He emphasized that Muslim personal laws are derived from the Quran and Hadith, not mere human legislation. Alternatives to personal laws already exist for those who do not wish to operate under religious guidelines. Therefore, he questioned the necessity of a mandatory UCC.
Madni also posed a critical question regarding constitutional provisions that exempt Scheduled Tribes from such laws. He asked why the religious freedoms of Muslims, protected under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, are not afforded the same respect. He highlighted the discrimination inherent in the UCC.
The issue, he argued, is not just about Muslim personal law but about maintaining the secular Constitution in its true spirit. India is a secular nation, and secularism implies that the government has no religion, allowing citizens the freedom to manage their religious affairs. Consequently, a UCC that interferes with religious freedoms is unacceptable to Muslims.
Responding to the government’s slogan of “One Nation, One Law,” Madni pointed out that India’s legal framework allows for different laws across various states. Criminal laws and provisions regarding cow slaughter, for example, vary from state to state. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has long advocated for the recognition of the cow as a national animal to ensure its protection across the country.
He concluded that the aim of implementing the UCC seems to be to restrict citizens’ religious freedoms and limit their constitutional rights.
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