https://sputniknews.in/20230716/misinformation-on-uniform-civil-code-is-politically-biased-muslim-organization-presidentpresident-3008424.html

'Misinformation' on Uniform Civil Code Is Politically Biased: Muslim Organization President

'Misinformation' on Uniform Civil Code Is Politically Biased: Muslim Organization President

Sputnik India

A debate over the application of the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) kicked off in India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong a push for it while addressing party workers on June 27.

2023-07-16T08:00+0530

2023-07-16T08:00+0530

2023-07-17T16:09+0530

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A debate over the application of the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) kicked off in India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong a push for it while addressing party workers on June 27.The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, however, held a late-night meeting the same day and decided to oppose it - despite its draft still not being written.In an interview with Sputnik, Rasheed talked about the "misinformation" being spread around the UCC and how the party is trying to quell it.Sputnik: There has been much uproar over the implementation of the proposed UCC, coming mostly from Muslim organizations and the community. What specific sections of the UCC are being opposed?Rasheed: I personally feel that Muslim organizations like All India Personal Law Board, Jamiat Ulema etc. are politically biased. They may not like Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But they also have to understand and accept that he is the prime minister of the country. If the prime minister introduces any scheme or enacts any law that will be for the entire country, people will have to change their mindset toward this.As of now, there is no draft of the UCC. But the Muslim organizations have started opposing it. They are saying that the Muslim way of worship is different from that of Hindus, Christians or Sikhs. And if the UCC is implemented, it will interfere in their religion.They must understand that the proposed law is a Uniform Civil Code and not a Uniform Religious Code. The way of worship for all religions will remain intact as per their beliefs. Those who want to go to a temple will continue to do so and those who want to go to the mosque will continue doing so.Modi said the same thing while addressing party workers on July 27: that a country can’t be run on a different set of rules for different people. Another important thing he said was that people will spread misconception and fallacies among the Muslim community while we will dispel it.For example, I am reaching out to the Pasmanda Muslims to quell the misinformation about the UCC. I am explaining to them that the UCC is on the issues like banning multiple marriages, triple talaq, halala, right to Muslim women to adopt babies and equal rights to women for property.These Muslim organizations are digressing the Pasmanda community from the real issues and rather engaging them in needless issues. For Pasmanda Muslims, the real issue is not multiple marriages as they are not in a condition to afford multiple wives, rather their issues are better education, better health and political representation.Similarly, if we talk about triple talaq (fast-track divorce), it is already banned. So, there is no point opposing it. Coming to halala, there are several doctrines in Islam that don’t believe in it. And I, being a Muslim, am ashamed of halala. Therefore, if it gets banned then what is the problem?Apart from this, I don’t think that there is any valid reason behind opposing the right to Muslim women to adopt babies and giving them equal rights in ancestral property.In India, a lot of Muslims have not followed the principle of Islam. As per Islam, a boy will get two parts of the property while the girl gets only one part. If UCC is giving equal rights to a girl in the property, it should be welcomed and not opposed. This can be a big step towards women's empowerment.The Muslims, especially the Pasmanda community, must be made aware about the UCC as the above-mentioned Muslim organizations are intentionally trying to create a tense environment.Sputnik: The opposition parties argue that the BJP is advocating for the UCC because elections are slated to be held next year. What is your opinion on that?Rasheed: A political party contests the elections on the issues which are for the interest of the public. So, if the opposition parties are saying that the BJP is advocating for the UCC because of the 2024 parliamentary polls, it is good for the party only.I am saying this because if the BJP is contesting the polls with UCC as the focus, as the issue of the public interest, people will support the BJP only.The opposition should also support this and get benefitted in the forthcoming elections.Sputnik: Could the UCC, given its timing, trigger more communal violence, especially between Muslims and Hindus in certain Indian states?Rasheed: First of all, I would like to say that it is a completely false allegation that communal violence has increased in recent times. The communal tension between Hindus and Muslims is not new. But since 2014 till now, I don’t recall any major violence between the two communities.However, prior to 2014, there have been numerous incidents of tensions between Hindus and Muslims. We can’t say that nothing is happening at all. But the law enforcement and governance have been such that the situation has been tackled much more effectively now. The course of law is the same for Hindus as well as Muslims.The tensions between the two communities are triggered by some people who don’t want the country to progress. If you see today, Muslims are getting the maximum benefit of the government schemes. They are being given ample representation in almost all sectors, employment opportunities for them have also increased and they are feeling much safer in the country.Similar attempts were made when the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was introduced. Misconceptions were spread among the Muslim community across the country. It was told to them that with this act they will lose their citizenship. On the other hand, Prime Minister Modi, federal Home Minister Amit Shah and all the other top leaders of the party repeatedly said that this act is aimed at providing citizenship, not snatching.The opposition parties have only one agenda - that is to terrorize the Muslims in the name of BJP. This type of agenda is being destroyed by the welfare schemes of the Modi government. Therefore, I would say that this is the best time to bring in the UCC.I personally feel that the draft of the UCC should be introduced in the parliament during the upcoming Monsoon Session so that the picture is clear in front of the people.Sputnik: You have been reaching out to the Muslims, especially the Pasmanda community, regarding the UCC. What is their opinion on the issue?Rasheed: See, the basic understanding of the UCC among Muslims is that once it is implemented, they will not be able to perform their worship as per their rituals, because misconception has been spread by the so-called Muslim organizations.So, we are reaching out to them to make them aware about the UCC that it will not interfere with their religion in any way. If someone wants to offer Namaz five times a day he can, if someone wants to wear a Taqiyah (Muslim skullcap) he can and similarly do whatever is mentioned as per the religion.However, I have given it a new name i.e. Indian Civil Code under which the law will be same for everyone irrespective of religion, caste or creed.As far as their response is concerned, I think we will start getting better results of the outreach once the draft of the UCC is in front of the country, but [now] they are getting a general understanding about it.Sputnik: How could the government dispel misinformation and assure other minority communities and tribals in India about the benefits of the UCC?Rasheed: I totally understand that there are a lot of misconceptions in the other minority communities as well as tribals. because recently All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that the UCC is against Christians. I just want to ask him if he is aware that UCC is already implemented in Goa state, where the population of Christians is huge. Did any of their rights get hampered?However, I am not aware about the steps taken up by the government to quell the misinformation among other minority communities. But if you see the Law Commission has asked for suggestions from everyone regarding the UCC which in itself will be helpful in spreading awareness.The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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