The row over the law panel’s decision to seek public opinion on the Uniform Civil Code intensified on Friday with the government accusing the All India Muslim Personal Law Board of ‘politicking’ on the issue even as Congress and Samajwadi Party said it should not be “imposed”.
A day after the AIMPLB and some other Muslim outfits announced their decision to boycott the process initiated by the Law Commission, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu insisted on a distinction to be made between the Uniform Civil Code and ‘triple talaq’, where the core issue was gender justice and ending discrimination against women.
Naidu, however, said a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was in consonance with the provisions of the Constitution, but made it clear that it would “not be forced on people”. “You (All India Muslim Personal Law Board) join the debate. Let there be enlightened debate you put forth your point of view. Let a consensus be evolved,” Naidu told reporters.
The government’s sharp reaction came after AIMPLB said the move amounted to the Modi government declaring a “war” on their religious rights.
