‘Votebank Politics is The Biggest Hurdle to Bring Uniform Civil Code’

Mrityunjay Dixit, a social worker based in Lucknow, feels that the Uniform Civil Code is in interest of the diversified population of India and an equitable justice delivery system. His views

Uniform Civil Code is based on the concept of one country one law. Under the UCC, a single law system is proposed for people belonging to all religions, sects and communities of the country. According to the Constitution, India is a secular country, in which followers of all religions and sects (such as Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, etc.) have the right to make laws related to their respective religions. But its directive principles clearly state: “The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.

Uniform laws are followed in many countries and these include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Turkey, Indonesia, Sudan, Egypt, America, Ireland, etc. All these countries have uniform laws for all religions and there are no separate laws for any particular religion or community. For, it strives to not only make justice delivery easier, but also aids the rapid pace of the development of the country.

Simply put, if there is one law for one member in a house and a different for another, will there be uniformity or harmony amongst the family members? Similarly, is it possible to run the country systematically with two different laws in the same house where people believe in many religions and live with diversification? The Supreme Court has also been repeatedly advocating for a UCC but it is only been opposed by those who are involved in vote bank politics and appeasement.

ALSO READ: ‘Uniform Code Is Newest Plan to Target Muslims’

Even the current government is moving forward on the UCC with great caution. That is why the Central Law Commission has asked common citizens and religious institutions for their suggestions and views on the subject. But as soon as this initiative of the Commission became public, all those involved in appeasement have once again started projecting themselves as the savior of the Constitution. The UCC is just a step forward for the equal rights to each and every citizen of India, as envisioned in the Constitution. At present, the UCC is in force in the state of Goa, while the process is underway in Gujarat and Uttarakhand.

The Central Government had earlier also sought suggestions on the UCC from the 21st Law Commission but the Commission had said in its report that, “There is no need for a Uniform Civil Code in the country right now.” Now, the 22nd Law Commission has given its go-ahead for the UCC. Earlier, in the Shah Bano case in 1985 and again in 2015, the Supreme Court expressed its concern over the UCC and spoke in favour of enacting a law.

Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution of India, had also argued strongly in favor of the UCC in the meetings of the Constituent Assembly and said, “I personally do not understand why religion should be given importance in this huge wide jurisdiction which is full of inequality, discrimination and other things which is in conflict with our fundamental rights?”

I believe, the UCC will bring a sense of equality among the citizens as it calls for a single law for India, which will apply to all religious communities in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption.

As told to Rajat Rai

‘Shaheen Bagh Inspired Kadru Bagh In Ranchi’

Khushboo Khan, 32, explains how she used her HR skills to recreate a Shaheen Bagh-like site in Ranchi’s Kadru area where women have been holding sit-in protests since January 19

Ranchi is a small city when compared to Delhi or Kolkata. Women here are also a little inhibited in coming out on street to protest. However, people have realised that this is a momentous time when one needs to show the courage to speak up. Ab nahi bolenge, to kab bolenge? (If not now, then when will we speak up?)

Therefore, inspired by the brave women from Shaheen Bagh, our committee, named Hum Bharat Ke Log (We, the people of India) started to come out and register our protest against Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizen. Our protest began on January 19, at a small ground near Haj House in Kadru area. As we are growing in strength, we have named it Kadru Bagh, so that people know our resolve is as strong as that of our sisters from Shaheen Bagh.

ALSO READ: Cops Bully Us… But Ghanta Ghar Protest Is On

We are protesting against CAA-NRC not only on the grounds that it is discriminatory, but also because we believe that our country isn’t equipped to take on any more people from outside and be able to give them job opportunities, health benefits etc. For, our own countrymen are not getting jobs, access to good health, transport facilities etc. We have slid down as a country on various indices, right from economic growth to women’s safety (a huge issue in Jharkhand), to food safety etc., but the government is busy trying to create a rift between communities to hide their failures.

I worked as a human resource professional for many years before I decided to quit and launch an NGO called ‘She’ that imparts vocational training to women. I must admit that my HR skills came handy in leading this protest against the divisive CAA-NRC. I have been coming here every day for 12 hours and with each passing day people are attending in huge numbers. We are braving 4-5 degree Celsius temperature and some of the protesters are having health issues too but we are ready to risk everything to be heard.

ALSO READ: With CAA, Modi Has Woken Up A Sleeping Tiger

Ever since this (BJP) government came to power, we as Muslims have been at the receiving end of communal taunts, snide remarks and insulting messages. We remained silent at many instances when our community was directly targeted: the Triple Talaq law, abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir and the court verdict on Ayodhya. But we decided to break our silence when Citizenship Bill was passed because we saw this an attack on the Constitution and constitutional rights of the people.

It is heartening to see common people from all religions protesting against CAA-NRC, because frankly everyone can read between the lines when it comes to this government.  Human beings are losing precious lives and peace in this situation. This government knows only raj (to rule) and not neeti (policies). It must learn to engage with people sincerely. The media must also help the government in its engagement with the people. For now, Shaheen Bagh has shown us the way, and we are going to follow the path of truth sincerely and tirelessly.

ALSO READ: Mothers Are At Shaheen Bagh For Their Children