Bhopal Shahar Qazi Maulana Syed Mushtaq Ali Nadvi has urged the Madhya Pradesh government to withdraw the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill 2026 or exclude Muslims from its provisions, saying interference in personal laws could affect religious freedom.
Addressing a press conference in Bhopal, Nadvi said the Muslim community has long followed its personal law in matters including marriage, inheritance and wills. He said the issue was a legal one and that a panel of senior lawyers was preparing to challenge the provisions if necessary.
“Those making accusations should understand that we can respond to what we are doing. Our legal panel is also preparing to go to court,” Nadvi said.
Bhopal Qazi Seeks Muslim Exemption From UCC
Nadvi said Muslims should be excluded from the UCC if the government does not withdraw the legislation.
“If the 21 per cent tribal community can be excluded from the UCC, then the 6 per cent Muslim community should also be excluded,” he said.
He added that such an exemption would help maintain peace, fraternity and social harmony. Nadvi also appealed to members of the community to follow Muslim personal law and urged young people to raise awareness about marriage and other social practices.
The Qazi and Bhopal Shahar Mufti Abdul Kalaam Qasmi have submitted a memorandum to Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar seeking exemption for Muslims.
Qasmi said Muslims consider Islamic Shariah to be divine law and generally follow the laws of the country as long as they do not conflict with the Quran and Hadith.
“Muslims respect the law of the country, but interference in private life and religious principles is absolutely inappropriate,” he said.
Minorities Forum Opposes Madhya Pradesh UCC
The MP United Minorities Forum has also opposed the UCC Bill and demanded exemptions for Muslims and other minority communities.
The forum said the Constitution guarantees religious freedom and cultural identity and argued that personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and wills should be protected.
It also questioned why certain groups, including Scheduled Tribes, have been given exemptions while Muslims and other minorities have not.
Christian Leader Raises Religious Freedom Concerns
Christian religious leader Fr. Anil Martin also raised concerns about religious freedom during the press conference.
Martin said Christians sometimes face objections and allegations of religious conversion when prayers or religious songs are conducted inside homes. He said the Constitution protects the right to practise religion and argued that people should be free to conduct religious activities in their homes.
“We are concerned that our religious freedom is being taken away,” Martin said.
He also called for wider consultation before implementing provisions dealing with marriage, divorce, inheritance and live-in relationships. He said women’s organisations, tribal communities, religious groups, lawyers and civil society groups should be consulted.
Confusion Over Cousin Marriages
Following the passage of the Madhya Pradesh UCC Bill, rumours that the legislation would prohibit marriages between close relatives, including cousins, reportedly caused confusion among Muslims in Bhopal.
Applications for nikah at the Bhopal Qazi office reportedly increased from around 30-40 a day to more than 200-250.
The confusion was later addressed after Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board chairman Dr Sanawar Patel sought clarification from the government. The government clarified that the UCC Bill does not prohibit such marriages.
The issue was reportedly linked to a problem in the Hindi translation of Section 4(4) of the Bill. Following the clarification, the situation returned to normal.
The Bill has since been forwarded by Governor Mangubhai C Patel to the President for assent.
