Deoband tells law Commission UCC neither necessary, nor desirable
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Saharanpur, UP: In a letter to the chairman of the law commission, prominent Islamic seminary Darul Uloom of Deoband argued that the country does not need or want a uniform civil code (UCC) and that its implementation will lead to social disorder.
The seminary's Naib Mohatamim (deputy vice-chancellor), Abdul Khaliq Madrasi, wrote in the letter that Darul Uloom Deoband, a well-known Islamic school of thought that had a significant impact on India's struggle for independence and nation-building, felt it necessary to express its opinions on UCC.
"We believe a common civil code for all communities in India is neither necessary nor desirable. Implementing UCC would mean that all the personal religious laws shall be kept at bay and a uniform personal law governing areas of marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc., shall be formulated. This shall go against the right to freedom of religion granted to each Indian citizen under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution," he said.
The letter further said that the UCC will cause social disorder.
"If a uniform civil code is introduced covering the country, it shall cause so much hardship and social disorder to religious minorities as their personal and social life are quite distinct from the rest of people in the country," Abdul Khaliq Madrasi added.
UCC shall prove too divisive and will lead to social unrest and that is against the spirit of the Constitution, which safeguards the right of citizens to practise their culture and religion, he said.
The seminary official further wrote that a mandatory UCC shall be a blanket imposition of one identity on a country whose inhabitants bear diverse identities.
"It shall severely impact the cultural rights protected under the fundamental rights and shall be affront to the cherished principle of legal pluralism and shall push our country many steps back from inclusivity and tolerance," he said.
Therefore, Darul Uloom Deoband, just like other prominent Muslim organisations such as All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind etc rejects the idea of UCC, he added.
With inputs from IANS