KOCHI: The Syro-Malabar Church has welcomed the call for a uniform civil code in the country as suggested by the Centre. “The implementation of a Uniform Civil Code without denying religious freedom and traditions is a welcome step,” said Cardinal George Alen-cherry of Syro-Malabar Church on Sunday.
The government should strive for a Uniform Civil Code by taking into consideration the diverse traditions, rituals of all sections of the society and people, he added. “The diversity should be maintained while going ahead with the Uniform Civil Code,” he told reporters. “There should be a consensus in this regard,” he added.
Cardinal Alencherry made the observation in the background of the Union government asking the Law Commission to explore the possibility of implementing a Uniform Civil Code across the country. Although Cardinal Alenherry cautiously welcomed the move by the government, a section of the clergy is apprehensive about the possibility of the issue being used for creating communal polarisation.
Fr Paul Thelakkat, former spokesperson of the Syro-Malabar church, expressed a concern in this regard. “As the Cardinal said I also welcome the Uniform Civil Code,” he told this newspaper. “But it is currently a concept without a content as there is no such draft or note to make a comment possible,” he said. “I am afraid that this concept can be used as a political tool to make communal polarisation with the intention to win election which I cannot but oppose,” he added.
