AIMPLB says no to UCC

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Tuesday told the Law Commission that it is opposed to Uniform Civil Code and insisted that Muslims cannot deviate from rules flowing from Holy Quran in personal or social life.

This was conveyed to Law Commission Chairman, Justice B S Chauhan, by a delegation of AIMPLB led by its Vice President Moulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari during their second meeting with the former. The delegation had earlier met the Chairman on May 21.

"The way of life of other religious groups in India, their cultures and custom, are not based upon their religious texts. On the other hand, Muslims have the basis of their personal relationship, traditions and cultures in Quranic rules and further the way shown by Prophet Mohammed," the AIMPLB said in a statement.

"Quranic rules as well as tohers rules flowing from Quran have their own authority and have been followed for more than 1,400 years. Muslims believe that these rules/values are part of the religion and they cannot deviate (from)," it said.

The AIMPLB told the Commission in no uncertain terms that the government "should neither interfere nor be advised to interfere" in such areas. "It shall not be proper to advise the government to drop the religious set of rules or legislate to do away with religious laws for governing personal life," it said.

Submits responses

It insisted that the determination of religious principles, traditions and culture do not fall within the scope of functioning of the government and these issues should not be made part of law making process.

The AIMPLB also submitted written responses on aspects of Muslim personal law, which included custody of children following divorce, non-admission of the concept of adoption, property rights enjoyed by women and the issue of maintenance and property rights if a son dies during his father's lifetime.