New Delhi: After the BJP-led Uttarakhand government tabled the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the state Assembly, several opposition leaders criticized the contentious bill saying that they are not in favour of the implementation of UCC.
The Bill seeks to provide a uniform legal framework for marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance laws for all citizens across all faiths. Once passed in the assembly and ratified by the Governor, Uttarakhand would be the first state to adopt a UCC after Independence.
Reacting to the introduction of the UCC Bill, Samajwadi Party MP Syed Tufail Hasan said that he will adhere to the laws mentioned in the Quran. "If a law is made which is against the tenets of the Quran, then we will not agree with it...Till when will they keep polarising the votes, people are fed up of this now," Hasan said.
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said, "New trivial issues will be unleashed till the time of (Lok Sabha) elections, so that there is no discussion on issues like unemployment, inflation, economic disparity, agriculture."
TMC MP Saugata Roy said that the Bengal government is not in favour of the implementation of UCC.
"We are not in favour of the implementation of UCC. They can implement it in BJP-ruled states, we will not implement it in West Bengal."
All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Executive Member Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali said "As far as UCC is concerned, we are of the opinion that uniformity cannot be brought in each and every law and if you exempt any community from this UCC, how can it be called a uniform code?... There was no need for any such uniform civil code. After the draft is presented before the Assembly, our legal team study this and then the further course of action will be decided..."
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi said, "The Uttarakhand government has failed on all issues including women's safety and law and order in the state....The state government can try this as well, but BJP will still lose in Uttarakhand in Lok Sabha elections."
What Does The UCC Contain?
Specific details of the draft are yet to be disclosed to the public. However, it is expected to establish a legal framework for marriage, divorce, inheritance, land, and property laws, for all religious communities. if passed, Uttarakhand would be the first state to adopt a UCC after Independence. Goa had adopted a UCC during Portuguese rule.
Five nations have so far implemented UCC in some form. They are France, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Nepal.
The UCC, once implemented will impose a complete ban on polygamy and child marriage, introduce a minimum marriageable age across all religions for women, and standard procedure fo divorce. They are suggestions aimed at fostering gender equality and social harmony.