Hyderabad: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi challenged BJP allies over the proposed Uniform Civil Code. His remarks followed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement on its implementation.
Shah said NDA governments in 21 states would introduce the law before 2029. Owaisi alleged that the Uniform Civil Code targeted Muslims instead of promoting equality.
He cited the Law Commission’s view that a UCC was “neither necessary nor desirable”. He also referred to Articles 14, 25, 26 and 29 of the Constitution.
“The very soul and spirit of this country is pluralism,” Owaisi said. He accused the BJP and RSS of seeking to impose Hindu personal law through a common legal framework.
Owaisi also questioned the proposed law’s application in Goa. “Go ahead and implement it in Goa,” he said. He pointed to exemptions involving second marriage and Catholic marriage and divorce practices.
Uniform Civil Code debate also covered state laws
Owaisi cited other laws that he said contradicted the BJP’s argument for uniformity. “It’s ironic that the BJP wants a UCC while its own states pass laws like the Disturbed Areas Act, which prohibit the sale of property between Muslims and Hindus,” he said.
He also referred to state laws concerning alleged “love jihad”. Owaisi said such measures showed unequal treatment.
“A UCC isn’t about equality; it’s about targeting Muslims,” Owaisi said.
Shah had said NDA governments would extend the law across 21 BJP-NDA-ruled states before 2029. “We have introduced the Uniform Civil Code in several states, and I am confident that in the 21 BJP-NDA-ruled states, we will introduce the UCC before 2029,” Shah said.
Owaisi also linked the issue to the National Register of Citizens. He referred to the Citizenship Amendment Act protests of 2019.
He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that there was no plan for an NRC.
“The National Register of Citizens will force everyone to stand in line and prove their citizenship. In a country where 80 crore people depend on ration for food, you want them to find documents and prove their citizenship?” Owaisi said.
He also raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Owaisi alleged that the exercise could create difficulties for people.
He further warned about the possible impact of an NRC in Assam.