AIMPLB opposes Uniform Civil Code, calls it 'Detrimental'

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday passed a resolution appealing to the Centre not to implement the Uniform Civil Code.

The AIMPLB, which is the leading representative body of Muslims in India, passed this resolution among others at a meeting of its executive committee held in Lucknow on Sunday. The meeting was also attended by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

In a note released after the meeting, the board said implementing the UCC will "deprive citizens of the privileges provided to them by personal laws and that is against the spirit of the Constitution".


Speaking to ET, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, a member of the board, said the UCC is not only detrimental for Muslims but other religions too that follow personal laws. Mahali said bringing the law would affect the multicultural nature of the country and "paint the entire country with the same brush". Rasheed said the body will seek time to meet the Prime Minister and discuss its concerns regarding the law. "We will see if the concerns are acknowledged or not. In case they are not, we will then meet leaders of strong political parties in states to build a consensus regarding the issue and will also meet Hindu religious leaders," he said.

BJP had outlined the UCC as one of its promises in the 2019 manifesto. Further, many states such as Uttarakhand and Gujarat have taken formal steps to implement the law in their respective states with law minister Kiran Rijiju in December last year clarifying that states are well within their rights to bring laws related to the UCC.

The board also passed a resolution regarding the proper implementation of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act of 1991 urging the government to "not surrender to separatist powers" while safeguarding the interests of all. This comes at a time when multiple petitions are being heard regarding reclaiming the temples from Gyanvapi Mosque.