Uniform Civil Code not acceptable at any cost: AIMPLB

Board reiterates that Muslim personal law is based on divine law and cannot be altered

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Saturday reiterated its opposition to the Uniform Civil Code, with General Secretary Maulana Wali Rahmani saying it is not acceptable to the Muslims at any cost.

Speaking at a conference organised by NGO Peace Foundation to deliberate on the code and 'triple talaaq' issues here, Rahmani said the Muslim personal law is based on divine law and hence cannot be altered.

He said the Supreme Court should consider the issue of triple talaaq in its entirety. At present, the apex court is hearing three petitions on the issue.

"The Supreme Court can intervene in any matter. But our request is that the matter of triple talaaq should be considered in its entirety (and not just as a women's right issue)," Rahmani said.

The AIMPLB leader said that the Muslims in India have respected and obeyed all laws of the land in independent India but they would not tolerate any interference in their personal laws.

"Over the last 70 years, the Indian Muslims have respected and obeyed all the laws. Although they have been the target of communal violence, and at times discrimination, they still love their motherland.

"But the Muslims cannot tolerate any interference in their religious affairs or laws," he said.

Rahmani said raking up of the two issues now reeks of some "evil designs".

"Most people in this country are peace-loving and just. But there are a handful of people who want to create a rift between the two communities and keep devising new plans for it," Rahmani said.

The AIMPLB is running an awareness campaign to sensitise the common people about the "perils of the Uniform Civil Code", he said.

The Law Commission had, on October 7, floated a 16-point questionnaire on its website wherein it had asked the common people, activists, organisations and other stakeholders to give suggestions on the implementation of the code.

Several prominent Muslim organisations in the country have opposed the move and urged the Muslims to boycott the questionnaire by not responding to it.

Under the Uniform Civil Code, the personal laws based on scriptures and customs of every religious community in India will be replaced with a common set of laws applicable equally to all citizens.