Uniform civil code will be counter productive for women's rights: CPI-M

It extended support to the demand against practice of triple talaq and noted it is not permitted in most Islamic countries

Alleging that "communal" forces have launched an offencive on identity of minorities, CPI(M) said on Tuesday any move to push Uniform Civil Code "as is being done by the government" will be counterproductive for women's rights even as it favoured reforms in personal laws of all communities, including Hindus.

The Left party supported the demand of section of Muslim women against the practice of "arbitrary and instant" triple talaq and said reforms were needed in personal laws of the "majority community" too as that they "discriminate" against women.

"With the offencive of communal forces on the very identity of minority communities, any move to push the agenda of UCC as is being done by the government directly and through its institutions is counterproductive for the rights of women. Uniformity is not the guarantee for equality," the CPI(M) said in a statement.

Slamming the government over claims of "its spokespersons" that personal laws for Hindu women have already been reformed, the CPI(M) said the remarks show their interest is not in securing women's equality, but is in targeting minority communities, particularly Muslims.

"Even now laws concerning, adoption, property rights and even the right to choose your own partner discriminate against Hindu women," the party said, seeking to pick holes in government's alleged claim.

The CPI(M) extended support to the demand against the practice of triple talaq and noted it is not permitted in most Islamic countries.

"Acceptance of this demand will bring relief to affected women. All personal laws including those for the majority community require reform," the CPI(M) said.