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Once again with intending to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) the BJP Minority Morcha (Front) has crafted a plan to connect with the opinion-makers and intellectuals of the Muslim Community. The Front aims to mainly target the women of the community during this period and highlight the benefits of the Code.
Implementing UCC throughout the country has been a vital agenda of the BJP and some BJP-ruled states have already started to explore the possible strategy to implement the same.
The head of the BJP Minority Morcha, Mr. Jamal Siddiqui, stated that the code will surely see the light of day shortly. He further said, Just as Article 370 was repealed without much opposition, UCC too will be enforced. Article 370 had lost most of its applicability years before it was abrogated. He also stated that many Muslim personal law provisions which were obsolete have been already struck down.
After BJP came into power, it has already put an end to the concept of Triple talaq and presently there is a raging dispute on wearing hijab in certain organizations. Thus, the ruling party is of the view that the implementation of Uniform Civil Code will not only eliminate the patriarchal biases in the personal law dealing with inheritance, marriage rights, adoption, etc. but also empower the women of the community.
While speaking to one of the newspapers, the party spokesperson, Mr. Yasser Jilani focused on the importance of implementing UCC by stating that many problems of the community such as adoption for childless couples, including women in inheritance as per the secular law and strengthening women by banning the concept of four wives would become easier.
Image Source: E-Magazine
The Constitution of India, through the Directive Principles of the State Policy in Article 44, talks about Uniform Civil Code. The Directive Principles of the State Policy are not mandatory or enforceable.
The Law Commission has already asked various religious groups and the public to share their suggestions and opinions on the topic. Many are of the view that the Central government will leave no stone unturned to implement UCC throughout the country before the general election of 2024, to polarize the electorate. During the assembly elections in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand, the BJP had already made clear that the UCC will be implemented.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board and the Jamaat-e-Ulema-e-Hind have strongly stood against UCC and said that it cannot be implemented in the country, because of its diverse culture.
After criminalizing and banning triple talaq, BJP stays positive about implementing UCC, as it feels that women from the Muslim community will support the idea as they would gain ample benefits after the implementation. Moreover, regressive remarks against women by some religious clerics have stirred up the demand for UCC. To woo the Muslim Community, the BJP Minority Morcha is presently involved in the drive “Modi Mitra (friends of Modi)”. The Drive mainly targets the educated segment of the Muslim community such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, and other influential people.
