The Muslim community in around 50 districts of Madhya Pradesh protested against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on Wednesday and submitted memorandums addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, demanding that the law be withdrawn.
The protests were organised following a call by Congress MLA Arif Masood. Demonstrators gathered at district headquarters across the state, with women also participating in several places.
In Bhopal, a 21-member delegation visited the collector’s office and submitted a memorandum to the President, expressing opposition to the UCC.
Arif Masood Says Fight Is About Personal Law Rights
Speaking to reporters, Masood said the protests marked the first phase of a wider campaign against the UCC.
He said, “People from the Muslim community in different districts reached the district headquarters and submitted memorandums to the President to register their objection.”
Masood argued that the Constitution provides citizens with the right to protect their culture and identity. Referring to Article 29, he said the Muslim community was seeking protection of rights available to it under personal laws.
“The Constitution gives freedom related to personal laws. We are demanding that the rights available to the Muslim community under its personal laws be protected,” Masood said.
He added that the campaign would continue to defend what he described as the community’s constitutional rights.
Protests to Continue Across Madhya Pradesh
The MLA said the campaign would not end with the submission of memorandums. According to him, the opposition to the UCC would now be taken forward through a phased movement across Madhya Pradesh.
“We will continue the struggle to protect these constitutional rights,” Masood said, adding that further protests would be organised across the state and the demand for withdrawal of the UCC would continue.
The demonstrations come shortly after the Madhya Pradesh Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill in July, making the state the fourth in India to pass such legislation. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said the UCC will be implemented after the required approval process.
