Imam Maulana Mohammad Shafiq Qasmi said the Uniform Civil Code is not in the interest of India or its people.
The statement highlights the ongoing tension between the push for national legal standardization and the preservation of diverse personal laws in India. Because the UCC seeks to replace religion-based personal laws with a common set of rules, it remains a deeply polarizing issue for minority communities.
Speaking at the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in Kolkata, Qasmi addressed the debate surrounding the implementation of the code. He said the Uniform Civil Code is not in the interest of the country nor its people.
Qasmi said the UCC would not benefit the country or its citizens. He said such a move could undermine existing personal laws that currently govern marriage, divorce, and inheritance for different religious groups, a framework that has historically provided legal autonomy to various communities.
The discourse in West Bengal reflects a broader national struggle over the balance between secular governance and religious freedom. By voicing these concerns within the assembly, Qasmi aligned his position with those who argue that a one-size-fits-all legal approach ignores the pluralistic nature of Indian society.
Opponents of the UCC often argue that the diversity of personal laws is a fundamental aspect of India's multicultural identity. They said that imposing a single code could infringe upon constitutional protections granted to religious minorities to maintain their own customs.
“Uniform Civil Code is not in the interest of the country nor its people.”
The opposition from religious leaders like Qasmi underscores the significant social and legal hurdles facing the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code. By framing the UCC as contrary to the national interest, critics are leveraging the argument that India's stability relies on the legal recognition of its religious diversity rather than a centralized mandate.
