The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) announced on Saturday that they would not accept a uniform or secular civil code, as it would conflict with Sharia law, which they are unwilling to compromise on.
In a press statement, the AIMPLB criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Independence Day address, where he advocated for a Secular Civil Code and referred to religious personal laws as communal. The board described the Prime Minister’s remarks as highly objectionable.
During his speech, PM Modi stated, “A large segment of society believes, and with some justification, that the existing civil code is, in effect, a communal civil code. It fosters discrimination, divides the nation along religious lines, and encourages inequality.”
The AIMPLB reaffirmed their commitment to Sharia law, with spokesperson Dr. SQR Ilyas expressed surprise at the Prime Minister’s characterisation of religious-based personal laws, like Sharia, as communal.
According to the AIMPLB, Muslims in India are entitled to practise laws in accordance with their religion, as guaranteed by the Shariat Application Act, 1937, and the Constitution of India. Article 25 of the Constitution grants citizens the fundamental right to profess, propagate and practise their religion, including adherence to its laws.
Dr. Ilyas also pointed out that the family laws of other communities in India are rooted in their respective religious and traditional customs. He argued that the push for a uniform civil code is a Western concept, not suited to India’s diverse traditions. He further stated that the directive principles, often cited as the basis for a uniform civil code, are not enforceable legal provisions.
Moreover, Dr. Ilyas criticised the Prime Minister for using the term “secular civil code” instead of the constitutionally accurate “uniform civil code,” suggesting that this was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and target Sharia law, without considering the broader implications for class, caste, and tribal communities in India.
In his press statement, Dr. Ilyas urged citizens, particularly on Independence Day, to remember the sacrifices of freedom fighters and their vision of a free, just, and peaceful India, rather than being swayed by the religious polarisation he accused the Prime Minister of fostering.