Indian province enforces controversial code, sparking concerns of bias

The northern Indian state of Uttarakhand has sparked outrage after beginning the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code. 

It replaces religious laws on marriage, divorce and inheritance with a set of new regulations.

The state, ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP, claims the move promotes equality.

However, critics argue it disproportionately targets India’s Muslim minority, sparking fears of religious discrimination.

The code has been a long-standing objective of the country’s Hindu nationalists. 

It overrides religious customs that have historically governed civil matters in India.

Critics say it imposes majority Hindu customs on the minorities.

Muslim leaders and activists accuse the government of advancing a “Hindu-centric” agenda under the guise of uniformity.

The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, India’s largest socio-religious Muslim organization, labeled the law an “assault on religious freedom” and vowed to challenge it in court.

Uttarakhand is only the second Indian state to adopt such a code after Goa. 

It has sparked a broader debate on religious freedoms and minority rights in India.