Uttarakhand Muslims Vow to Fight Uniform Civil Code

New Delhi- The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), along with several other Muslim organizations, has vehemently condemned the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand. They deem the law "unfortunate and harmful to the country," and plan to challenge it in court.

In a joint statement, these groups called the UCC law "undemocratic, unconstitutional, and an assault on the fundamental rights of citizens." They argue that it infringes upon the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution, specifically targeting Muslims' ability to practice their faith. The AIMPLB emphasized that "Muslim personal law is an integral part of Islam, which is protected under the Shariat Application Act, 1937," and no state has the authority to enact a Uniform Civil Code.

This statement follows a meeting of the AIMPLB in Bengaluru where the decision to contest the UCC law in court was made. The organization recalled a joint press conference held last July where leaders from various communities, including Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Dalits, and Adivasis, unitedly declared their opposition to the UCC under any circumstances.

The AIMPLB also criticized the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Waqf for its handling of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. The committee's recommendation to approve the bill, despite objections from Muslim organizations and millions of emails expressing opposition, was deemed "unreasonable" and "undemocratic." The AIMPLB claims to have submitted 36.6 million emails alone, alongside submissions from other organizations.

The organizations accused the JPC of disregarding parliamentary rules and democratic processes. The Muslim leaders asserted that any attempt to seize or destroy Waqf properties would be considered "sheer oppression" and would not be accepted by justice-loving people. The statement concluded with a call for the government to withdraw the Waqf Amendment Bill and reinstate the previous law, warning of potential nationwide protests and civil disobedience if their demands are not met. The AIMPLB urged Muslims and other citizens of Uttarakhand not to panic and to stand firm in their religious beliefs, assuring them that they will oppose the UCC at every level within the democratic framework.