Uttarakhand has implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) from Monday (January 27, 2025), becoming the first state in India to take this decision. However, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has opposed this decision and has announced to challenge it in court.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani has said that no law against Shariat and religion will be accepted. He raised the question that if Scheduled Tribes can be exempted from the Constitution Bill, then why not Muslims? Why is discrimination being done in the name of Uniform Civil Code? Terming UCC as discriminatory, Madani said, “This law attacks the religious freedom of citizens and is completely biased.” Preparations to go to court
Madani further said, “Any law which is against Shariat cannot be accepted, because Muslims can compromise on everything, but cannot compromise on their Shariat. In the Uniform Civil Code law implemented in Uttarakhand today, Scheduled Tribes have been exempted under Article 366, clause 25 of the Indian Constitution and it has been argued that their rights have been protected under Article 21 of the Constitution.” Jamiat has announced that they will knock the doors of Nainital High Court and Supreme Court against the decision to implement UCC in Uttarakhand.
Emphasis on constitutional rights
Maulana Madani, citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, said that these guarantee religious freedom to citizens. He asked that if Scheduled Tribes can be exempted from UCC, then why not Muslims?
On the implementation of UCC in Uttarakhand, Madani said that by doing this, not only has the religious freedom of citizens been attacked, but this law is completely based on discrimination and prejudice. Jamiat will also consider the aspect of this law that whether any state government has the right to make such a law?
Maulana Madani said, “Muslims cannot compromise on Shariat. Our family laws are based on Quran and Hadith. There can be judicial discussion on these, but there will be no compromise on the basic principles.”