Muslim residents in Mumbai and several other districts of Maharashtra have participated in a statewide signature campaign against the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), with organisers seeking to raise awareness about the legislation and record public concerns over its possible implications.
The campaign, organised by Sunni Jamiat Ulama and Raza Academy, was held at mosques across the state on Friday. Religious scholars, mosque imams, community organisations and local representatives encouraged worshippers to participate and express their views through democratic and constitutional means.
During Friday sermons, scholars explained the proposed UCC and outlined concerns about its potential impact on religious practices, family matters and Muslim personal law.
The organisers urged the government to avoid measures that could interfere with personal laws or cause distress among communities.
In Mumbai, the campaign was conducted at several mosques across the city and its suburbs, including locations in Kurla. Darul Uloom Hanafia Razvia in Colaba, Manish Market Mosque, Zakaria Masjid and Madrasa Hamidia were among the places where awareness activities and signature drives were held.
The campaign also received support in Jalna, Malegaon, Nashik and Bhiwandi.
Organisers said the participation reflected concerns about religious freedoms, constitutional rights and civil liberties.
Campaign to Continue Until November 15
Sunni Jamiat Ulama and Raza Academy have announced that the campaign will continue across Maharashtra until November 15. The organisations said the deadline could be extended if the wider consultation process is prolonged.
Raza Academy has also circulated a QR code and an explanatory video addressing questions about the proposed UCC.
At Handiwala Masjid, volunteers were seen approaching worshippers and passers-by after Friday prayers, encouraging them to participate by providing their names and mobile phone numbers and signing the campaign.
In a joint appeal signed by Maulana Fariduz Zaman Qadri, the organisations urged mosque imams and trustees to explain the proposed code and its possible consequences during or after Friday prayers.
They also asked mosque committees to encourage responsible participation, facilitate signatures at designated tables and help expand the campaign.
Raza Academy chief Alhaj Muhammad Saeed Noori questioned the Maharashtra government’s reported proposal to consider exemptions for tribal communities under the proposed code.
“We are not against any community, but we do ask the government what its purpose is in exempting tribal communities from the Uniform Civil Code while imposing it on other citizens,” Noori said.
He argued that if exemptions were considered necessary to protect the customs, traditions and personal laws of certain communities, similar considerations should apply to the religious and personal matters of others.
The organisations said the signatures would be submitted to the relevant authorities to communicate public concerns.
Muslim Organisations Discuss Proposed UCC
Separately, representatives of various Islamic organisations met at Islam Gymkhana in Mumbai to discuss the proposed Uniform Civil Code and coordinate their response.
The meeting was organised by the Maharashtra Muslims Federation to assess developments surrounding the proposal and facilitate discussions among community representatives.
Participants raised concerns that a common civil code could affect personal laws and religious practices. Some speakers questioned its constitutional implications, while others called for collective efforts to communicate their objections to the government.
Deputy Amir Malik Motasim of Jamaat-e-Islami, who chaired the meeting, said religious injunctions contained in the Quran and Hadith could not be changed and that following them was part of the faith.
Maulana Mahmood Khan Daryabadi, a founding member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, referred to Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, which protect religious freedom and the rights of religious denominations, subject to constitutional limitations.
He said a uniform civil code could restrict these rights.
Mufti Huzaifa Qasmi of Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra, meanwhile, said a uniform civil code would make citizens legally equal.
The meeting also saw the formation of a proposed committee comprising 15 to 20 members. According to participants, the committee will focus on the UCC and convey concerns to the government.
Government Consultation and Wider Campaign
The Maharashtra government has reportedly issued a questionnaire containing 37 questions concerning the proposed UCC and invited responses online. According to campaign material, 31 questions require yes-or-no answers, while six allow brief comments.
Other Muslim organisations have also launched awareness efforts. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has circulated a QR code and a Friday sermon on the issue, while Jamiat Ulama, Jamaat-e-Islami and the Association for Protection of Civil Rights have undertaken outreach activities.
The campaign comes amid wider discussions over the proposed UCC and its possible application across communities.
