Leaders of various religious communities and representatives of social groups, Tribals and Dalits, while strongly opposing Uniform Civil Code at a press conference in the national capital on July 26, said that the Government of India has no business to interfere in the customary laws and religious practices of social groups, Tribals, Dalits and religious communities.
The representatives of these groups categorically said that UCC is against the spirit of the Constitution, fundamental rights, pluralism, composite culture and the very idea of India. They also pledged to fight it at all levels, socially and culturally, through awareness programmes in the length and breadth of India and also to fight it legally if the situation so demands.
This press conference followed a meet on the issue held at YMCA Delhi on July 26 where organisations from across the country namely All India Backwards and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF), Shiromani Akali Dal, Delhi; Confederation of Dalit and Tribals Organisations, All India Ravidasiya Dharam Sangathan, National Conference for Minorities, Sikh Personal Law Board, Federation of Catholic Associations of Archdiocese of Delhi, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Sikh TalmailGroup, Committee for Protection of Religious & Cultural Diversities, and activists participated.
During the meet it was unanimously resolved that the Government of India should not interfere in the traditions, customs, and religions of various communities. It was also observed that the one nation one law view of the Uniform Civil Code is a pernicious attempt to intervene in the social and religious affairs of various communities and groups.
The members of the Minority communities, Dalits and Tribals unanimously claimed that UCC is a threat to the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution (Articles 25, 26 and 29). Constitutional guarantees and protections (Article 371, Scheduled Areas, Scheduled Tribes) as well as religious and cultural diversities and the concept of ‘Unity in Diversity,’the distinct identities of religious and cultural groups, the reservation provided to SC, ST and OBCs must be upheld. They apprehend that under the garb of equality they will then move to scrape reservation, the federal structure of the country, the idea of India enshrined in the Constitution, with an aim to establish their dream project of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ based on Manusmritiand their pet slogan ‘Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan’.
These groups that pledged to protect religious, cultural and all fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution, strongly opposed the design of the Government and collectively rejected the UCC, will ensure that the life and property of every citizen is safeguarded as it is the fundamental and constitutional duty of the Government to do so, will prevent the desecration of religious books and places of worship and protect the Churches, Mosques, Gurdwaras and other religious places from being burnt or destroyed. We will prevent all attempts to illegally occupy the places of worship of other groups and will demand that The Place of Worship(Special Provisions) Act, 1991,will be implemented in letter and spirit.
Prof. Jagmohan Singh, Convener, Sikh Personal Law Board, while replying to media persons, said, “We have discussed all issues of concern regarding UCC and we will share our individual and collective views after going through draft of the government. The earlier Law Commission Report which says that UCC is neither desirable nor possible so what has changed now suddenly that the Government is talking about having UCC.”
While replying to a question, he said, “We know the intention of the Government on UCC and it’s not on the backfoot. First, we will go to our community, people of India, other political parties and then if there is a need we will also intervene legally.”
While replying to a question, Syed Sadatullah Husaini, Vice President, All India Muslim Personal Law Board and President Jamaat-e-Islami Hind said, “In principle we are opposed to the UCC, we are opposing the very idea of the UCC. It is against our fundamental rights, religious and cultural rights, freedom of conscience, and also against the idea of India which is diversity and plurality. Whether we have the draft of UCC or not, the concept of UCC is against the idea of India. We are talking of UCC at a time when the world is moving towards multiculturalism and we are moving in a reverse direction.”
Mr. Naba Kumar Sarania, a Tribal leader from Assam, who is also Member of Parliament from Kokrajhar in Assam, said it is not only the question of Tribals of Assam but the entire Tribal population of India. In Assam there are only 10 percent Tribals and 90 percent of Tribals are in other states of India. The Government is also aware of the complexity of the problem regarding UCC. We will try to make all Tribals across India aware of the issues concerning UCC and how dangerous it is for them and what is the way forward.
AIMPLB spokesperson Dr. S.Q.R. Ilyas, Convener Committee for Protection of Religious & Cultural Diversities, said, “The 21st Law Commission had earlier said that UCC is neither desirable nor needed so what has changed now suddenly that the Government is talking about having UCC.”
Waman Meshram, President All India Backwards and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF), said the Modi-led BJP government wants to use the UCC as political dividend while keeping on the backburner the damage it will cause to the Idea of India.
Mr. Rahul Dambale, Convener of National Conference of Minorities Federation of Catholic Associations,President of Archdiocese of Delhi A.C. Michael also shared their reservation against UCC and expressed their solidarity with groups and pledged their support to fight against the very idea of UCC.