Political stunts in the name of Uniform Civil Code

In Madhya Pradesh, where election are due later this year, Prime Minister Modi asked a gathering of BJP workers how the nation will get along with two types of laws. Pointing out different laws are not desirable for members of a same family, PM Modi brought up the Supreme Court’s suggestion to implement the Uniform Civil Code. At which point there is nothing mysterious or suspicious about it. However, Uniform Civil Code is a red herring that BJP wanted to use ahead of the polls to state assemblies and Lok Sabha in 2024. What remains of the agendas that the nine-years of HIndutva regime implemented is UCC. It has implemented the removal of Jammu and Kashmir's special constitutional status, building a Ram temple on Babri Masjid waqf land, denying citizenship to Muslim refugees, impose severe punishment on cow smugglers and meat sellers. In order to implement the remainder BJP should get another term. The campaign for the upcoming state and Loka Sabha will be pivoted on the issue.

After a comprehensive study, the 21st Law Commission in its report to the government said it is not practicable to homogenise into one mould one of the world’s largest countries where different religions, castes, tribes live with their diverse beliefs. The suggestion was not acceptable to the BJP, hence the 22nd Law Commission was set up with the likes who would toe the line and favor UCC. A report was also given in favour of Uniform Civil Code. Alongside, as many as 19 lakh people have already responded to the questionnaire seeking public opinion. As for now, the UCC is another trump card aiming communal polarization just as they have done twice before. Even as the opposition, well-wishers of the country and peace lovers point out that UCC is not a problem affecting only the Muslim minority, Hindutva forces sets out to blame them and question their patriotism. At the aforesaid party meeting in Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi accused the Opposition of stirring up the poor Muslims and alleged vote bank politics as the cause of poverty and backwardness of Muslims. Remember, the reports released by the Central government recently indicate that in nine years of Modi’s rule Muslims are found to be the poorest and most educationally backward in the country. In short, it is clear Modi and his friends are pushing for the UCC with political aims. Neither the welfare of the country nor the upliftment of the underprivileged and backward classes is on their agenda. If not, what does it mean when a BJP representative who presided over the parliamentary standing committee meeting to discuss the matter pointed out that the tribal and tribal groups in the North Eastern states will have to be exempted from Uniform Civil Code? Aren't uniform family laws impracticable in India?

The Opposition is beginning to be get caught in the BJP’s political maneuvering. The main opposition Congress is unable to categorically oppose the Uniform Civil Code at the national level. However, if it does not unequivocally oppose it in Kerala, the UDF will have to antagonise the Muslim League, its mainstay in the state. Taking advantage of the situation, the CPIM has chosen to campaign against UCC. The move is to collect all Muslim outfits whom they do not brand as ‘communal’ for a massive campaign along the lines of its agitation against CAA protest. In 1985-86 CPIM under the leadership of EMS unleashed anti-Sharia campaign following the Supreme Court judgment in the Shah Banu Begum case favouring Uniform Civil Code. The move was aimed at amassing majority community votes by getting rid All India Muslim League of its alliance. Now the strategy is to bring together both factions of Samasta and create perplexity in UDF and Muslim League.

The opposition is also playing politics in the name of UCC. Those who impartially judge can discern that UCC is impracticable. Instead, steps should be taken to reform the traditional family laws of each community in line with gender equality. The Supreme Court has already ruled the Triple Talaq among Muslims as illegal but has not dismissed Talaq. It has been pointed out that the Modi government's law that hand out severe punishment for triple talaq is a move to imprison Muslim men unlike happening in other communities. But the Prime Minister praised this as a great service to the Muslims. A tenable thing to suggest at this point is to revise the Muslim personal laws in accordance with the freedom of religion allowed by the constitution. The clamor over a Uniform Civil Code, whose draft has been presented till date, is nothing more than a hoax.