Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Sep 20: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday reiterated his opposition to the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), arguing that it would conflict with several provisions of the Indian Constitution.
“You cannot abolish Articles 25, 26, 29 and 14 in the name of the UCC. What is in the Constitution of India was drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar,” he told IANS in Lucknow.
Owaisi alleged that the UCC would effectively impose Hindu personal laws on non-Hindus and questioned how laws governing marriage, divorce and succession could be applied uniformly across different religious communities.
“In the name of the UCC, how can you apply the Hindu Marriage Act, Hindu Divorce Act and Hindu Succession Act to non-Hindus?” he asked.
He pointed out that tribals were being excluded from the UCC because of differences in their religion, culture and family life, and questioned why Muslims should not similarly be exempted.
Owaisi also criticised the Uttar Pradesh government over law and order and alleged that mosques were being demolished.
“Two days ago, you demolished a graveyard in Kanpur using a bulldozer at 5 AM. Under what law did you do this?” he asked, referring to the law concerning ‘waqf by user’ and alleging that due process had not been followed.
On unemployment, Owaisi questioned the Uttar Pradesh government's programme to provide jobs to one lakh youth ahead of the elections and demanded that existing vacancies in the state government and police departments be filled.
“First, fill vacancies in the Uttar Pradesh government and police, which run into lakhs. Why haven't they been filled over the last 11 years?” he asked.
Asked about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme and BJP allegations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late mother was insulted during the event, Owaisi quipped, “The Congress party has capable people who will answer your question.”
On BSP chief Mayawati's decision to assign a new responsibility to Ishan Anand, Owaisi said the matter concerned the BSP and was for Mayawati to decide.
“Mayawati is a very prominent leader of this country. On her own strength and without any family support, she formed a government with a complete majority and became Chief Minister several times. It is a matter concerning her party, and she will decide,” he said.
Asked whether AIMIM would contest the Uttar Pradesh elections on its own or enter into an alliance with other parties, Owaisi said, “It’s too early to say, but you will know soon.”
Owaisi's latest remarks come amid an ongoing political debate over the UCC, with the AIMIM chief having repeatedly raised constitutional and minority-rights concerns over its proposed implementation.