The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday opposed the All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s (AIMPLB) proposed nationwide “Constitution and Sharia Protection Movement”, accusing the organisation of undermining national unity by placing the Constitution and Sharia on the same footing.
VHP central joint secretary Vijay Shankar Tiwari said that the Constitution must remain supreme and that no personal law can be placed above it.
“The Muslim Personal Law Board has compared the Constitution of India with Sharia, which is completely unconstitutional,” Tiwari said.
He added, “Accept the Constitution, follow the law and respect the nation — this is true protection.”
VHP Questions AIMPLB’s Proposed Movement
The AIMPLB had announced the nationwide campaign last week, saying it would organise public meetings and protest programmes in major cities. The Board also said it would prepare and circulate a “white paper” documenting alleged discrimination against Muslims, constitutional violations and human rights abuses.
The AIMPLB has described the campaign as a broader national struggle to protect the Constitution, democracy, rule of law, religious freedom, human dignity, national unity and fraternity.
Reacting to the announcement, Tiwari said Muslims are entitled to all rights guaranteed by the Constitution but must also follow the laws of the country.
“Citizenship also entails duties, including accepting the country’s laws, respecting national symbols and understanding the spirit of the Uniform Civil Code,” he said.
The VHP leader questioned the very basis of the AIMPLB campaign and asked what should prevail if the Constitution and Sharia come into conflict.
“If there is a conflict between the Constitution and Sharia, what will they follow — the Constitution or Sharia?” Tiwari asked.
VHP Rejects AIMPLB’s Claims of Discrimination
Tiwari also rejected the AIMPLB’s allegations that Muslims are being systematically targeted and portrayed the claims as misleading.
“Whenever there is talk of demolishing illegal constructions, whoever has illegal constructions, they are demolished. But if illegal constructions belonging to the Muslim community are demolished, they come forward portraying themselves as victims. This cannot continue,” he said.
He also said that respecting Vande Mataram should not be seen as an attack on any religion and appealed to Muslims not to be influenced by what he described as fear created by statements from community leaders.
The VHP further described the proposed AIMPLB movement as unacceptable and urged citizens to remain alert against what it called attempts to create divisions.
