The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has firmly opposed the idea of implementing a uniform or secular civil code in India, stating that it will not be acceptable to Muslims as it would conflict with Sharia law. The AIMPLB’s stance comes in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a uniform civil code during his Independence Day speech.
In a press release issued on Saturday, AIMPLB spokesperson Dr. SQR Ilyas expressed strong disapproval of the Prime Minister’s remarks, which described religious personal laws, including Sharia, as “communal” and divisive.
Dr. Ilyas said that Muslims in India have the constitutional right to practice their religion and follow their religious laws, as guaranteed by the Shariat Application Act of 1937 and Article 25 of the Indian Constitution.
“The All India Muslim Personal Law Board considers the Prime Minister’s call for a secular civil code and his terming of religious personal laws as communal to be highly objectionable,” the press release stated.
The board argued that family laws in India, including those of other religious communities, are deeply rooted in their respective religious and cultural traditions.
Dr. Ilyas further criticized the Prime Minister’s use of the term “secular civil code” instead of the constitutional term “uniform civil code,” suggesting that this was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and target Sharia law. He warned that such a move could have significant ramifications, affecting not just religious communities but also various classes, castes, and tribes across the country.
In his statement, Dr. Ilyas urged citizens to remember the sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters and focus on building a fair and peaceful nation, rather than getting swayed by what he described as the divisive rhetoric of the Prime Minister.
