By The Editor
Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is bent for implementing Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country. Union Home Minister Amit Shah in his address at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday November 24 said the BJP is committed to bring UCC in the country through
democratic processes and discussions. Shah reiterated promise made by the party since its days of Bharitya Jan Sangh reminding that the Constituent Assembly had advised Parliament and states that UCC should be introduced and implemented at the appropriate time. Unfortunately, after independence the whole issue was forgotten and unheard with none to voice it except BJP which recently advocates for open and healthy debate from various sections of society before acceptance. In his opinion, there should be one law for the whole country which should not be based on religion and politics ought to be free from casteism, dynasty and appeasement.
According to him, merit and quality are basic norms of leaders who will thus be able to project good image of India on global map. During winter session of Rajya Sabha, private member’s Bill seeking to provide for panel to prepare UCC was introduced on Friday December 9 amid protests from opposition parties seeking for withdrawal of the controversial Bill. BJP MP (Member of Parliament) Kirodi Lal Meena introduced the Bill stressing on national inspection and investigation committee for preparation of UCC before implementing it throughout India. But many opposition members from Trinamool Congress (TMC), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi Party (SP), Communist Party of India (CPI), CPI (Marxist), National Congress Party (NCP), and Indian National Congress (INC) rose to protest against its introduction saying that if it is passed it will destroy the social fabric and unity in diversity that is prevalent in the country. After conclusion of debate, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar called for voting and those who were in favour was 63 while those against
was 23. The Bill envisages collection of laws for protection of personal rights of all citizens
without considering religion. This is the first time that the Bill was moved in the Upper House and passed.
Secular India is multi-cultural and multi-religious country where more than three quarters of its more than one billion-and-a-quarter population are Hindus followed by sizable percentage of Muslims and less than three percent are Christians. Besides, there are Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Bahais and followers of indigenous tribal religions.
According to Jawhar Sircar of TMC the Bill is unconstitutional, unethical and antisecular and therefore there is still time to rethink over. MDMK MP Vacko accused the government of implementing one after another agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP which may lead to disintegration of the country. Abdul Wahab of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) the Bill has been attempted to be introduced many times in the past but this time it is a sort of deliberate provocation by the BJP.