J&K: Army Calls Off Seminar On UCC After Oppn Flags Concern Over 'Divisive' Topic

The Army said that it merely provided administrative assistance to the organisers and had no involvement in determining the seminar's subject matter.

Indian paramilitary troops are standing alert in Srinagar.

Source : Getty Images

New Delhi: Amid criticism from political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, the Army decided to call off a seminar slated for March 26, which aimed to shed light on various topics, including the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), news agency PTI reported.

The Army said that it merely provided administrative assistance to the organisers and had no involvement in determining the seminar's subject matter.

On Friday, the Army extended invitations to media outlets for the seminar titled "Navigating legal frontiers: Understanding Indian Penal Code 2023 and the quest for Uniform Civil Code," scheduled to take place at the Kashmir University Auditorium.

However, the announcement sparked backlash from regional political leaders, with former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah questioning the Army's engagement in what he deemed a "divisive" topic like the Uniform Civil Code, particularly in the sensitive region of Kashmir.

Omar expressed concerns over the potential politicisation of the Army and its encroachment into religious matters, emphasising the institution's historical apolitical and non-religious stance.

Taking to X, he wrote, “Is it appropriate for the Indian Army to get involved in the divisive issue of the uniform civil code and that too in a sensitive area like Kashmir? There is a reason the Indian Army has remained apolitical and areligious. This ill-advised UCC seminar is a threat to both these basic tenets. Going ahead with this risks opening up the army to charges of getting involved in the murky world of politics coupled with interfering in religious matters.”

Is it appropriate for the Indian Army to get involved in the divisive issue of the uniform civil code & that too in a sensitive area like Kashmir? There is a reason the Indian Army has remained apolitical & areligious. This ill-advised UCC seminar is a threat to both these basic… pic.twitter.com/MD2FPmPabd

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 23, 2024

His statement was echoed by Tanvir Sadiq, NC's Chief Spokesperson, who called upon the Election Commission to “assess the appropriateness” of the Army's involvement in discussing an issue prominently featured in the BJP's manifesto while the Model Code of Conduct was in effect.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) also criticised the Army's initiative, highlighting past instances where the military allegedly engaged in partisan activities, undermining its neutral role.

"What we are seeing is the continuation of the trend of 'Naya Kashmir' and 'Akhir Kab Tak' campaigns in which the Army as an institution was seen as playing a partisan role and directly interfering in the political affairs of J-K," PTI quoted PDP spokesperson Najmus Saqib as saying.

Following the uproar, the Army cited the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct as the reason for cancelling the seminar.

Defence Spokesman Lt Col Manoj Sahu said that the Army's role was limited to providing administrative support to the organisers, Kashmir Jurists, and had no influence over the seminar's content.

"The Legal Awareness Seminar on March 26 by Kashmir Jurist in Kashmir University has been cancelled due to implementation of the Model Code of Conduct," Lt Col Sahu said in a statement.

The invitations extended to media personnel were sent out in “good faith” to facilitate academic discourse, Lt Col Sahu said.

The communication regarding the seminar was sent by the Srinagar-based PRO Defence on behalf of Major General PBS Lamba, the General Officer Commanding, HQ 31 Sub Area, PTI reported.