'UCC is a sinister BJP agenda’: AIUDF’s Rafiqul Islam

AIUDF general secretary Rafiqul Islam has criticised the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), calling it a “sinister agenda” of the BJP and alleging that the party wants to impose it forcibly.

Reacting to Gujarat’s move to adopt the UCC, Islam said India’s social fabric was built on the coexistence of people from different castes, communities and religions, with the Constitution recognising their customs and personal laws.

“UCC is a sinister agenda of the BJP. They want to implement it forcibly,” Islam said.

He alleged that the implementation of a uniform code would undermine customs, traditions and personal laws followed by different religious and social communities.

“India is defined by the coexistence of people from diverse castes, communities and religions living together in harmony. Our Constitution permits everyone to maintain their own personal laws and customs,” he said.

Islam's remarks came after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Gujarat UCC Bill on September 17. The legislation was subsequently published in the state gazette on October 1. Gujarat has become the second state after Uttarakhand to enact a UCC.

The Gujarat UCC provides a common legal framework covering matters including marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance and live-in relationships. Its implementation will follow notification of the rules by the state government.

Islam reiterated the AIUDF's opposition to the legislation, saying his party would continue to oppose what it considers an attempt to replace community-specific personal laws with a common legal framework.