TMC leaders condemn UCC, say it’s a ‘Modi vs secularism issue’

“In a recent core committee meeting, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had told me that it was not possible to implement UCC in West Bengal,” he said. Sultan Ahmed said the “wave of protest” witnessed in Kolkata would soon spread across the country, protesting against the “misrule” of the Centre.

Earlier in the day, after the 25th general meeting of the AIMPLB, Zafaryab Jilani, its secretary, had said the Modi government’s decision was aimed towards gaining political dividend in the upcoming UP Assembly elections. “Most of the electoral promises of the government before coming to power, had remained unfulfilled. So, in order to divert public attention from the burning issues at hand, Modi is raising such topics. It is a Modi vs secularism issue. They are following their political manifesto of implementation of UCC and are trying to interfere with Muslim personal law,” added Jilani.

He said it was a simplification of separation of a married couple instead of dragging the matter for years through painful litigation. “Three months after talaq, the woman is free to lead a normal life and even get married without any question being raised,” Jilani said.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Jilani, on being asked whether he supported the system of triple talaq over phone or via WhatsApp, said, “The idea is to deliver the message. There is no harm if it is done over the phone or WhatsApp. It is not necessary for both wife and the husband to be physically present at the spot.”