Core issue gender justice, don't make it political: Govt on Uniform Civil Code

New Delhi: Urging the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) not to politicize the issue of Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said it is high time that all communities should come together and uphold the dignity of women irrespective of their religion.

Naidu also urged the AIMPLB not to unnecessarily drag Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name into the matter. "The people expect meaningful discourse and it's time for all communities to come together to uphold the dignity and rights of women irrespective of their religion," said Naidu.

"Why are you trying to bring in the name of the Prime Minister and why are you making comments that we are not able to take care of the borders? Why are you politicising the issue? If you want then you can join a political party of your choice. This is not expected from the Muslim Personal Law Board or another religious leader. You have to confine to the issue," he added.

Naidu further questioned the denial expressed by the AIMPLB with regard to debating the issue of Uniform Civil Code. "What is the objection? I don't understand, you join the debate, let there be a debate, you put forth your point of view," said Naidu.

"The government wants a debate across the country. There are three issues - first is gender justice, second non-discrimination, third is needs of women. These are the issues, debate and discuss them. Why are you becoming political?" he asked.

Speaking about triple talaq, Naidu said that people are confusing the divorce practice with the Uniform Civil Code.

"Some people are trying to confuse the issue of triple talaq with Uniform Civil Code. About the issue of triple talaq, the Law Commission wanted views of all. The religious workers, the social workers, sociologists, prominent public personalities, they need to acknowledge the basic principle of equality of all human beings men or women and work in that direction instead of misleading the people," said Naidu.

On Thursday, the AIMPLB said they will boycott the Uniform Civil Law as they feel it is not good for the nation.

"We will boycott the questionnaire sent by the Law Commission and we have decided that Muslims of the country will not answer this question as it is not acceptable and not good for the nation, "Hazrat Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani of the MPLB told a press conference here.

Rahmani said there are a number of people living in this country belonging from different cultures and added that to bind the culture under one unique code is not acceptable.

The Law Commission earlier last week sought public opinion on the exercise of reforming family laws of all religions.

The commission has reportedly appealed to members of religious, minority and social groups, non-government organisations, to present their views through a questionnaire on a range of issues, including the practice of triple talaq, the right to property for a woman citizen and polygamy.

However, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has been defending the triple talaq system and termed the filing of the affidavit as 'un-islamic.'

They claim that triple talaq is a personal law and the Centre has no right to modify it.