CM Pinarayi Vijayan urges Kerala MPs to take united stand on UCC in Parliament

“MPs representing various constituencies of Kerala, a model state for the whole country in terms of secularism, should adopt a unanimous stand on the matter,” the chief minister said.

He added, “Taking decisions on personal laws in haste without due consultations is not at all conducive to a democratic system.”

At a time when trust and equal participation of all sections were essential for the unity and integrity of the country, the UCC should not be a move to instil fear and apprehension in the minds of some minority groups, Vijayan further said.

“This is the opinion of all who believe in secular and democratic values.”

Related: CPI(M) contends Congress has ‘soft Hindutva’ stand, opposes UCC

Other issues

The chief minister also sought the intervention and support of the MPs on various issues the state was facing, including the delay in getting GST compensation from the Union government and the cutting down of its borrowing limits by the Centre.

The MPs should raise their voice against the Union Finance Ministry’s action of cutting the borrowing limit, which would adversely impact the development expenditure and infrastructure development programmes of the southern state, he said.

The GST Council was yet to take any favourable decision on the extension of the GST compensation period, he explained.

The MPs, in turn, assured the chief minister that they would stand united to get the state’s deserved share in this matter, the statement said.

Vijayan also wanted the MPs to put pressure on the Centre to allow charted flights to be operated to bring non-resident Keralites to the home state during Onam season, as airline companies are charging exorbitant fares.

Among other things, the chief minister also wanted the support and intervention of the MPs in getting the Centre’s nod for the “Point of Call” status for Kannur airport.

Also getting clearance for the formation of a special purpose vehicle for the execution of the project to set up a proposed medical devices park in the state capital, as well as to remove the procedural hurdles for the takeover of the healthcare product manufacturer HLL Lifecare Limited by the state government.

Besides the chief minister and MPs, various state ministers, and the chief secretary along with departmental secretaries also took part in the meeting.

Also read: Owaisi slams Modi over comments on Uniform Civil Code

Opposition to UCC

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) announced a series of programmes on 10 July, against the Union government’s move to implement the UC).

The UDF has decided to organise a “Bahuswaratha Sangamam” (roughly translated as a meet to defend pluralism) on 29 July in protest against the implementation of UCC, he said.

On Thursday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote in a letter to the Law Commission chairman: “We should aim for uniformity in rights and opportunities for all people rather than uniformity on laws.”

He said the code posed a serious threat and challenged the diverse social structure of society, and that Tamil Nadu was firmly against its implementation.

Telangana Chief Minister and BRS supremo K Chandrashekar Rao made his party’s stand clear on 10 July, while describing the UCC as yet another attempt of the BJP-led Union government to foment hatred among religious communities.

On 5 July, BJP’s southern ally, the AIADMK, reiterated its stand against the implementation of the UCC.

AIADMK chief K Palaniswami said the position had already been made known in the party’s manifesto released for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

In the manifesto, under the topic “Secularism”, the party had said in 2019: “The AIADMK will urge the Government of India to not bring any amendments to the Constitution for a Uniform Civil Code that will adversely affect the religious rights of minorities in India.”

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, has contended that while the BJP wants to enact the law to “teach Muslims a lesson”, in reality, it is other communities in India that would suffer more.

“It is said that Muslims will be taught a lesson through the UCC, but this common law is not good for the entire country. Rather than Muslims, non-Muslims will be at a loss. This is being done to erase our identities in the country,” Owaisi, the MP from Hyderabad, contended.

Also Read: Non-Muslims will suffer more if UCC is introduced

Religious and tribal groups oppose UCC 

Apart from the political parties, many civil rights, and tribal rights groups also have registered their opposition to the implementation of UCC.

On Wednesday, 12 July, the Mangaluru Catholic Sabha’s Central Committee asked the Union government to bring out a draft law on the UCC instead of “creating confusion” among minorities and other communities in the country.

Addressing reporters in Mangaluru, Catholic Sabha president Allwyn D’Souza said the Union government’s recent statements had created confusion among different communities.

The IUML responding to Modi stressing the need for a UCC, said, they will challenge the Union government’s move — both legally and politically.

The League made the announcement after the party’s virtual national committee meeting on Wednesday, 28 June.

Ahead of Assembly elections in key states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 June invoked the need for a UCC, in Bhopal.

“The BJP has decided it will not adopt the path of appeasement and vote bank politics,” said Modi while invoking the UCC.

(With PTI inputs)