Push for common civil law divides India
NEW DELHI, India – The Hindu nationalist government in India has proposed a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all citizens, regardless of religious affiliation.
Muslims, Sikhs, and others fear that the government could impose Hindu upper-caste beliefs on the entire population in the name of the uniform code
Activists say the introduction of a uniform code would violate religious freedom and fundamental rights.
The government has defended the proposal, saying it is necessary to promote gender equality and national integration.
The unified code would cover a range of issues, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
The Law Commission of India, the government’s advisory body, is collecting public proposals on the uniform civil law.
Presently in India, Hindus, Muslims, Christians and other tribal groups have their own personal laws for issues such as marriage, inheritance and other matters.
Openly advocating for the common code last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India can no longer go on with separate laws for different people.
“If in one house, there is one law for one family member and another for another family member, can that house function? … How then can a country function with such a system?” he said at a BJP meeting in June.
The Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, the umbrella organization for all Sikh temples, warned that the move would violate the special identity of minority communities in India.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
