Page 8 - Uniform Civil Code

UCC demands compromise

Consensus rather than majoritarian muscle-flexing needed

First give reservation to women in LS, Assemblies: Sharad Pawar on UCC

The Union government should first introduce reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies before talking about the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said here on Thursday. Holding a press conference, Pawar also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had become restless after the Opposition parties' meeting in Patna. Next meeting will take place at Bengaluru on July 13-14, he informed. On the UCC debate, he said the NCP will make its stand clear after assessing the suggestions and demands of various communities. But before that, reservation should be given to women in Assemblies and the Lok Sabha, which is a long-pending demand, the senior leader said. On Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's claims about Pawar being privy to the BJP's plans to form government in Maharashtra along with a group of NCP MLAs led by Ajit Pawar in 2019, the senior Pawar said Fadnavis should focus on women's security in the state ..

UCC will bring contentment instead of few sections' appeasement: Choubey

Union minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Thursday asserted that a uniform civil code will bring about contentment in society in place of appeasement of a few sections. The senior BJP leader also expressed hope that the Narendra Modi government will bring the common civil code at the earliest. "Uniform civil code will lead to 'santishtikaran' (contentment) instead of 'tushtikaran' (appeasement), as the Prime Minister has put so eloquently", said Choubey, referring to PM's speech in Bhopal earlier this week. The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Environment, Forest and Climate Change said "uniform civil code will satisfy all sections of the society since all want to live together in peace and make progress". He also brushed aside allegations of parties opposed to the BJP that the PM had raised the issue to communally polarize society and reap electoral dividends. "They are opposing it just for the sake of opposition", he quipped. Choubey,

TN CM Stalin lashes out at PM Modi for pushing Uniform Civil Code

DMK President and Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for seeking to implement the Uniform Civil Code. Modi was thinking of winning the 2024 Lok Sabha polls by fanning communal sentiments and creating confusion in the country, the DMK chief said. "I am telling you categorically, people are ready to teach a fitting lesson to the BJP in the upcoming LS polls," he said. Stalin made the remarks here in his address while presiding over the wedding of the grand-daughter of a party office-bearer.

Mere oppn to Sharia cannot be basis for Uniform Civil Code: Shiv Sena (UBT)

The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday said that mere opposition to Sharia' cannot be the basis for the Uniform Civil Code, asserting that UCC also means having equality in law and justice for all. Sharia is an Islamic religious law based on the teachings of the Quran and the traditional sayings of Muhammad. In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana', the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should first respect uniform law by disqualifying 40 MLAs including Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, whose Urban Development department has taken action against 18 ex-corporators from the Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC). Earlier this week, 18 former Congress corporators of BNCMC were disqualified from contesting any elections for the next six years for voting against their party's official mayoral candidate in 2019 and defying party whip. Only opposing the Sharia law of Muslims is not the basis for Uniform Civil Code. Having equality in law and ...

PM's statement on UCC has nothing to do with minorities' welfare: JD(U)

PM Modi said on Tuesday that the country cannot run on two laws and that the Uniform Civil Code is part of the Constitution

UCC push political ploy before polls, needs extensive consultations: NCP

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP on Wednesday said broaching the issue of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) ahead of elections was a political ploy and that such decisions should not be rushed through. "We have neither supported nor opposed UCC. We are only saying that such a big decision should not be rushed through," NCP working president Praful Patel told reporters here after a series of meetings of the party's various wings. Patel's remarks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for UCC and wondered how a country can function with dual laws that govern personal matters. He also accused the Opposition of using the UCC issue to "mislead and provoke" the Muslim community. The NCP working president said, "If any law is to be brought for common good, it should not be rushed through. There should be proper discussion." Patel said if the UCC was being brought as an agent of social change, there should have been extensive consultations on the issue. "In this case, the Law

Isn't PM prejudging response of Law Commission: Khurshid on UCC remarks

Senior Congress leader and former law minister Salman Khurshid on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on uniform civil code, wondering if the PM is prejudging what the response of the Law Commission would be on the matter. Khurshid also asked whether a person in the position of prime minister should be showing his inclination on the issue as it would "distort" an objective opinion that the commission was to get on the matter. Neither the BJP, the prime minister nor the Law Commission have indicated why there needs to be a departure from the findings of the previous law commission, he said. "This is a commitment of the prime minister and his party and there is no problem with the PM taking up an issue like this but the problem is that when the Law Commission is asking for a response, isn't the PM prejudging what the response of the Law Commission will be after it gets feedback from the rest of the country," the Congress leader told PTI. "So, a person in

PM Modi's push for UCC only an election agenda; will be opposed: IUML

Congress ally and a member of opposition UDF in Kerala, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was pushing for implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country only as an election agenda ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year as he has nothing to show for his nine-year governance. After a meeting held here during the day, senior IUML members -- which included the party's state chief Sayyid Sadik Ali Shihab Thangal, its national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty and MP E T Muhammed Basheer -- said they have decided to oppose the UCC. The IUML leaders said that UCC was "not a Muslim issue", but Modi was trying to project it as one. They said that it was a last-ditch "trump card" being used by Modi with the 2024 general elections in mind as he has nothing to show for the nine-year long rule by his government. "It is an election related agenda of the Prime Minister as he has nothing to show for this nine-year long governance. He is .

Law Commission has received 850,000 responses so far on UCC: Chairman

Amid a raging debate over the issue of Uniform Civil Code, Law Commission Chairman Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi on Wednesday said the panel has received 8.5 lakh responses within just two weeks of initiating a public consultation process on the matter. The Law Commission had on June 14 invited views from all stakeholders, including people and recognised religious organisations, on the politically sensitive issue. "The responses we have received till yesterday are approximately 8.5 lakh," Awasthi told PTI. A uniform civil code (UCC) typically means having a common law for all citizens of the country that is not based on religion. Personal laws and laws related to inheritance, adoption and succession are likely to be covered by a common code. Implementation of a UCC has been part of BJP election manifestos. Uttarakhand is already in the process of framing its common code. The BJP had promised a uniform civil code in Karnataka ahead of the recent assembly elections. On Tuesday, Prime ...

UCC will have adverse impact on minority, tribal communities: Akali Dal

The Shiromani Akali Dal Wednesday said the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) throughout the country would have an adverse impact on the minority and tribal communities. The opposition party in Punjab also slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for extending its "in-principle" support to the UCC, saying the nod has exposed its "anti-minority face." In a statement here, senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said Akali Dal has always opposed the Uniform Civil Code for the entire country and it would submit its reservations on the issue to the 22nd Law Commission as well as in Parliament. He said the party believed that civil laws in the country were influenced by faith, belief, caste and customs and were different for different religions. "These should be retained in the interest of safeguarding the social fabric as well as the concept of unity in diversity," said Cheema. The SAD's remarks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushed for the implementation of the UCC at

AAP extends 'in-principle' support to UCC, wants govt to hold consultations

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday extended its "in-principle support" to a Uniform Civil Code but said it should be brought in with a consensus after extensive consultations with stakeholders. The government should hold extensive consultations on the proposal with all stakeholders, including political parties and non-political entities, AAP national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak said. "The AAP supports UCC in principle. Article 44 (of the Constitution) also supports it," Pathak told PTI. But the government should bring in UCC only when there is a consensus among the stakeholders, he said. "We believe that on such issues we should go ahead with consensus. We believe that this (UCC) should be implemented only after there is a consensus among all the stakeholders," Pathak said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Tuesday made a strong push for a Uniform Civil Code, asking how can the country function with dual laws that govern personal matters.

Does Congress stand with UCC or 'communal conspiracy' against it: Naqvi

BJP leader and former Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi took a swipe at opposition parties on Wednesday and said the time has come to make the Uniform Civil Code free of these "communal crafters" as it is not for any particular community but for the entire society. Talking to reporters, he said the Congress should clarify whether it stands with the constitutional commitment to the UCC or is a part of "communal conspiracy" against its implementation. Naqvi said from the constituent assembly to Parliament, from the streets to civil society and the Supreme Court, the demand and need for the UCC was raised on several occasions. However, "communal confusion" created over it hijacked the constitutional commitment and instead of becoming a part of the Constitution, the UCC remained a part of its directive principles, he added. He said with the fresh commencement of much needed national debate on the UCC, "political vendors of communal votes" have again started their prejudiced propaganda

AIMPLB members huddle to finalise draft opposing UCC to submit to law panel

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) got into a huddle to build its case against a Uniform Civil Code, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for a common law for all communities. The Board held a meeting Tuesday night through video conferencing in which the draft document to be submitted to the Commission was discussed, according to AIMPLB member Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli. Addressing a gathering of BJP workers in Bhopal on Tuesday, Modi called for implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and said the Constitution also mentions about giving equal rights to all citizens. He also said that the BJP has decided it would not adopt the path of appeasement and vote bank politics, and alleged that the Opposition was using the issue of UCC to mislead and provoke the Muslim community. Talking to PTI on Wednesday, Mahli, however, said the AIMPLB meeting was a routine one and that it should not be linked to the the prime minister's statement on UCC.

UCC can't be forced by agenda-driven majoritarian govt: Chidambaram

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Congress leader P Chidambaram said it cannot be forced on people by an "agenda-driven majoritarian government" as it will "widen divisions" among people. The former Union minister claimed the prime minister was batting for UCC to divert people's attention from issues of unemployment, price rise and hate crimes. He also alleged the BJP was using UCC to polarise the society. "The Hon'ble PM is making it appear that UCC is a simple exercise. He should read the report of the last Law Commission that pointed out it was not feasible at this time "The nation is divided today owing to the words and deeds of the BJP. A UCC imposed on the people will only widen the divisions," Chidambaram said. Noting that a Uniform Civil Code is an aspiration, the senior Congress leader said, "It cannot be forced on the people by an agenda-driven majoritarian government." "The Hon'ble PM's strong pitch for UCC is .

How can India have two laws? PM Modi's pitch for Uniform Civil Code

Modi urged party workers to reach out to Pasmanda Muslims with facts and arguments to convince them that all, including Muslims, had access to his government's welfare schemes

What will happen to tribal culture if UCC is implemented? asks Bhagel

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday reacted sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support for enactment of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and asked what will happen to culture and traditions of tribals if such a law is implemented. Modi, addressing a gathering of BJP workers in Bhopal in adjoining Madhya Pradesh, made a strong pitch for implementation of the UCC and said the Constitution also mentions about giving equal rights to all citizens. Asked about PM's remarks, Baghel said, Why do you (BJP) always think from Hindu-Muslim point of view? In Chhattisgarh, we have tribal people. What will happen to their beliefs and orthodox rules through which they govern their society? If the UCC is implemented then what will happen to their tradition?" The Congress leader said there are also several other caste groups which have their own rules. Our nation is like a beautiful bouquet with people believing in different religions, speaking different languages, following ...

Don't make such issues part of 'dog-whistle politics': RJD attacks PM Modi

The RJD on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks in Madhya Pradesh on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying he should not make such issues an instrument of "dog-whistle politics". The attack by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha came after Prime Minister Modi said that even the Supreme Court has advocated for having the UCC, but those practising vote bank politics are opposing it. Addressing BJP workers in Bhopal on Tuesday under the party's 'Mera Booth Sabse Majboot' campaign, Modi, while talking of the UCC, said Indian Muslims have to understand which political parties are taking advantage of them by provoking them. "We are seeing that work is being done to instigate such people in the name of Uniform Civil Code. If there is one law for one member in a house and another for the other, will the house be able to run? So how will the country be able to run with such a dual system?" he said. Reacting to the prime minister's ..

Country can't run on two different laws, says PM Modi on Uniform Civil Code

PM Modi said that the Indian Muslims need to understand which political parties were provoking and destroying them for their own benefit

UCC against religious freedom, will oppose it under legal ambit: Jamiat

Prominent Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on Monday claimed that the Uniform Civil Code is against the religious freedom guaranteed under the the Constitution but said it will not take to the streets to protest against it and instead would oppose it by taking all possible steps within the ambit of law. The statement by the Muslim organisation comes days after the Law Commission initiated a fresh consultation process on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by seeking views from stakeholders, including public and recognised religious organisations, on the politically sensitive issue. In a statement, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind said it opposes the UCC as it is "totally against the religious freedom and fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens in Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution." "Our Constitution is a secular Constitution, in which every citizen has been given full religious freedom, and every person has been also given the right to choose the religion of his choice, because ..