'Constitution Itself Not Uniform': All India Muslim Personal Law Board Opposes Uniform Civil Code

The AIMPLB's draft petition, opposing the Uniform Civil Code came after a meeting in Lucknow on Wednesday.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has submitted a draft opposing Uniform Civil Code to Law Commission. The AIMPLB's decision came after a three-hour meeting in Lucknow on Wednesday to discuss the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

AIMPLB member Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali urged the public to unite against this law. According to Mahali, the Personal Law Board is founded on Shariah principles, and as a result, no Muslim would tolerate any modifications to it. He said that a link would be shared, allowing individuals to express their dissent against the UCC.

Another draft petition will be sent by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. The latter which is led by its president Arshad Madani will consult with the lawyers prior to hanging over its response. Questioning the premise of the UCC, the AIMPLB draft read: "The most crucial document of our nation, the Constitution of India, is itself not uniform in nature, prudently and with the intention to keep the country united. Different treatment, accommodation, and adjustment is the nature of our Constitution... Different religions have been given different accommodations." It further stated that "mere projection of 'unity' is not a valid ground for uprooting established systems of laws governing personal matters of different religious communities". "Even Code of Civil Procedure does not apply uniformly in the entire territory of India," the draft added.

What is UCC?

The Uniform Civil Code aims to establish a standardized set of personal laws that would be applicable to all citizens regardless of their religion, gender, caste, and other factors. Essentially, the Uniform Civil Code entails a unified framework of laws that govern personal matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, and succession.

Presently, the personal laws of different communities are predominantly influenced by their respective religious practices.

The Uniform Civil Code is covered under Article 44 of the Constitution of India. It states that the State [India] shall strive to implement a uniform civil code for all citizens throughout the territory of India. However, since this article falls under the directive principles of state policy, it is considered a non-binding guideline rather than a mandatory provision.