Pics by: Karthikraj Sasthana 

Daijiworld Media Network (JD/TP)

Udupi, Aug 10 : “Uniform civil code is not against any religion.There might not be any nation where society demands a uniform civil code on its own. We need to mobilise society towards this. We have to firmly establish our own Bharatiya narrative. Those  opposing UCC are also referring to the Constitution. But they have never touched the Article 44 of the directive principles. Article 44 states ‘the state shall secure to endeavour for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout India,” said J Nandakumar, national convenor, Prajna Pravaha, New Delhi

Speaking at a conference organised by Sri Krishna Seva Balaga, Admar Math  on the topic "Why india needs a uniform civil code" at Udupi Poornaprajna auditorium, J Nandakumar said, “Three days back a strange incident happened in Kerala where they wrote the horoscope of a yet to be born by passing a resolution against the uniform civil code which is yet to be implemented. Now, soon the Karnataka government and the other state governments which come under I.N.D.I.A ideology will also follow the same. I am happy that Admar Math has taken the lead to discuss this matter, and I request the other sanyasis and Maths to take such initiatives. Why does Bharath need a uniform civil code? Because this is Hindu Bharath. It is an ever growing religion, not like Abrahamic religion which believes they have found the final truth by their messenger and prophet. Now we are hearing from some prestigious institutions slogans like “Udupi manege Aazadi”, “Mangaluru manege Aazadi” they are pretending like giving new sermons to us about liberty and independence, but the ultimate expression of independence is always been taught by our leaders, bhagwans, sanyasis. We do admit that there were social evils in our culture, we have corrected it. Renaissance is happening continuously in our dharma, correction will always happen. This correction has been done from time immemorial." 

“We have a constitutional obligation also. Those opposing the UCC are also referring to the constitution. But they have never touched Article 44 of directive principles. The Article 44 states ‘the state shall endeavor to endeavor for the citizens  a uniform civil code throughout the India”. This has been given by constitution makers. Till 1937, Muslims were following Hindu practices of marriage, succession, adoption etc. In the northern part of Kerala, Mapulas community followed Hindu traditions. Babasaheb Ambedkar has also noted this point in the constitution making committee. In 1937, British implemented Shariah law and they insisted each and every Muslim to follow Shariah law. Up to July 1, 1980, a few Bihari Muslims of Bengal were following local Hindu customs. Britain always adopted divide and rule. This was the main purpose to divide the society. In 1857, Bahadur Shah Jafar got hold of Red fort he made a GoI and he started to abolish cow slaughter. During 1857, in Ayodhya two leaders were Amir Ali and Ramcharan Das led the movement, but they pre decided the first and foremost thing to do after getting the ruling is to liberate Ram Janmabhoomi. It was decided by both the groups also.The same agreement almost came into existence after 1977, but  immediately the left movement intervened and it was sabotaged. The. nationalist Muslims were with the movement. This failed the British, they wanted to divide us but they couldn't," he said. 

"In the real sense of the word India didn't get freedom on Aug 15, 1947.  We have to take five oaths, the second decision which we have to take is, ‘we have to erase the last signs of servitude from our minds. There is no relation between UCC and religion. Which religion propagates inequality between son and daughter. It is related to my humanitarian concern. All those against UCC are stating that UCC is tyrannical towards minorities. But K M Munshi in the constitution drafting assembly has highlighted that there are no such special laws in Muslim majority nations for the minorities and uniform civil code must be implemented. This will also affect Hindu undivided families too. There are several supreme court and high court references. In the Shabano case  the Supreme court directed compensation and maintenance. But our leaders who today are talking about Bharath Mata being killed in Manipur, the top leader  of that party changed the law against Muslim women. It was named as Muslim Women Act in order to surpass the Supreme court decision," he said.. 

“There are so many Islamic countries in the world, whether such laws are there in Islamic countries. There are some countries which follow democratic and some follow Shariah. Indonesian personal laws implies strict actions for polygamy. There are laws related to divorce, succession. Tunisia being a Muslim country has implemented significant reforms in its personal laws known as ‘code of  personal status’.  But both in Pakistan and Bangladesh they have amended 1937 Shariah law. In Pakistan too consent authority permission is required for practicing polygamy. In both types of these Muslim nations they have made so many amendments in their laws. There might not be any nation where society demands for uniform civil code. We need to mobilise society towards this. We have to firmly establish our own Bharatiya narrative. The only medicine for the problems of the world is Bharatiyata. UCC is not against any religion. It talks about humanity, gender equality.  It has nothing to do with religious practices. We lost 75 years, now we have to go ahead. Let us support the nationalist government for implementing uniform civil code," he said. 

“Unity in diversity doesn't mean that burglary is a diversity practiced by some people for their livelihood. Nowadays unity in diversity has been distorted to that extent. If any industry among them does not provide a safe place for LGBTQ community, that particular industry will not get any support from the government and some institutions. This type of stupid ideology might come to India as well. It is not against the great principle of unity in diversity. If it is against any religious practice it can be termed as anti religious. It is not against doing namaz five times a day, or following quran. Did bringing of uniform civil code result in violence eruption in Rajasthan?. Nothing happened by abolishing Article 370 in Kashmir. But today the kashmiri women are refereeing as I have got my freedom back. This is not to gain votes for a nationalistic party like BJP. All these efforts are being lessening the gap. The process has begun, it will reach the logical conclusion," he said. 

In his address to the gathering Sri Vishwapriya Theertha Swamiji said, “British left India 75 years ago, but the real freedom we got just 9 years ago when a strong, nationalist leader took over as prime minister. During the era of vedas it was found there will be problems with different civil law, there is need for uniform civil code. When the criminal code is uniform, the civil code must be uniform. The admissions are made on the basis of merit, not on the basis of religion. Earlier, there was Quit India movement, but today wer have to fight for I.N.D.I.A to leave."

The programme began with invocation song sung by Vidwan K Pavandeep Bengaluru. Govinda Raju welcomed the gathering.

Dr Nandakumar Pai introduced the resource person. Former MLAs Pramod Madvaraj, Ragupathi Bhat, CMC member Vijay Kodavoor, Purushotham Shetty, Ujwal developers were present.