National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders on Wednesday, November 11, defended the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), accusing AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi of misrepresenting its constitutional basis. They argued that a common civil law would promote equality and strengthen the rights of Muslim women.
The remarks came after Owaisi criticised the Maharashtra government’s move to implement the UCC, alleging that it was aimed at targeting Muslims and imposing what he called a “Hindu Civil Code” on non-Hindu communities.
BJP MLA Says Owaisi Is Ignoring Article 44
BJP MLA Ram Kadam accused Owaisi of selectively referring to the Constitution while overlooking Article 44, which directs the state to work towards securing a Uniform Civil Code for citizens.
Speaking to IANS, Kadam said, “Asaduddin Owaisi is lying. On one hand, he is always touting the Constitution, saying that one must respect its principles. But he has forgotten the principles that were written by Dr Ambedkar in Article 44.”
He argued that the provision reflected the idea of a common law for all citizens and said the UCC was not a new proposal.
“This is not a new invention. This is a constituent of the Constitution that Baba Saheb Ambedkar wrote more than 70 years ago. It has not been implemented in the last 70 years by the previous governments,” Kadam said.
Questioning the need for separate personal laws, he asked, “Shouldn’t the law be uniform for everyone in a country? Should one state, one direction, one law not be implemented?”
Kadam also rejected the argument that the UCC would interfere with religious beliefs. He said the Hindu Code Bill was different from the proposed common civil framework and accused Owaisi of misleading people by linking the two.
He further alleged that previous governments had avoided implementing Article 44 for electoral gains and to appease particular communities.
Shaina NC Says UCC Will Empower Muslim Women
Shiv Sena national spokesperson Shaina NC also defended the UCC, describing it as a measure for equality rather than an attack on any religious community.
“The UCC will empower Muslim women. One vote, one passport, one flag, and that is what the Uniform Civil Code stands for. For you (Owaisi), it’s oppression of Muslims, against the Muslims, but to us, it is about empowering Muslim women,” she said.
Invoking the legacy of B.R. Ambedkar and Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, she said equality should take priority over divisions based on caste, creed and religion.
“‘One Nation, One Law’ was Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s dream, and Balasaheb Thackeray always said we cannot fight based on caste, creed and religion; we must fight based on equality and for equality,” she added.
What Does Article 44 Say?
Article 44 is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution. It asks the state to endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for citizens across the country.
The provision is a constitutional directive rather than a law that automatically introduces a common civil code. The debate over its implementation has continued, with supporters arguing that it would ensure equal treatment under civil laws and critics raising concerns about religious freedom and the rights of different communities.
