Politicos reject Shariat court proposal

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Meenakshi Lekhi disapproved the idea of establishing a Shariat court in all districts across the country as proposed by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).

Speaking to ANI, Lekhi said that there is no place for such court in India, as it is not an 'Islamic Republic of India.'

"You can discuss religious matters but court binds this nation. There is no place for Shariat Court, be it at district or village or city level. This is not the Islamic Republic of India," Lekhi said.

Union Minister PP Chaudhary said, if a Shariat Court is formed, the verdict passed by such court would be against the Indian Constitution and so is not enforceable.

"As far as the opening of a court is concerned, it can only be in accordance with law and body opening it, should be competent under the law. Any verdict given by such court is against Constitution and so is not enforceable," Chaudhary said.

Even the Congress party spurned the proposal and termed the idea against the Indian Constitution.

Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said the special provision of a particular religion is always taken care by the Supreme Court and High Court and hence any other court is not needed.

"I do not subscribe to the idea. It is completely against the India Constitution. We have a well-established constitution, whenever there is a specific provision of a particular religion that is also being taken care by the Supreme Court and the High Court. I do not think there is a need to establish a Shariat court in all the districts," Rajeev Shukla said.

Janata Dal (United)'s national secretary general KC Tyagi also disapproved the need to establish such courts.

The AIMPLB had proposed to set up Shariat courts in all districts in the country to resolve all issues within the Islamic law, instead of approaching other courts.