UCC bill brought to distract attention from people's issues: Oppn leaders
New Delhi: Several Muslim MPs on Tuesday said the Uniform Civil Code bill tabled in Uttarakhand Assembly will not work in a diverse country like India and has been brought only to "polarise" society ahead of Lok Sabha elections.
The ruling BJP welcomed the bill, saying the UCC is part of the "constitutional vision" and the Pushkar Singh Dhami government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fulfilling the promise made by "our ancestors".
However, leaders of several opposition parties alleged that the bill has been brought to distract the attention of people from issues like price rise, unemployment and crimes against women and the "failure" of the government on these fronts.
Samajwadi Party MP S T Hassan questioned the need for bringing such legislation.
"What has been happening for 76 years should continue.
This has only be brought to polarise ahead of elections," he said.
Opposing the uniform civil code bill, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said the country's beauty is its pluralism and the "BJP hates it".
AIUDF MP Badruddin Ajmal said, "Our country is like a beautiful garden and its diversity is its beauty."
"When they do not succeed, then they try to bring out something new like this and to attract the attention of people. The Uniform Civil Code is brought to please Modi ji, but it will not work in India and needs to be thrown in the dustbin," he said.
Suspended BSP MP Danish Ali said the UCC Bill is nothing but "BJP's agenda for (Lok Sabha) 2024 (elections)".
"The state has no right to bring UCC, it comes under the power of central government. Since they (BJP) are failing, they brought UCC; nothing is going to happen," Danish Ali said.
Congress leader Imran Pratapgarhi said the BJP wants to colour the entire country with one colour even when the country is known for its diversity and myriad hues.
"It is not good for the country," he said, adding that how can they enforce uniformity.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the Modi government ruled for 10 years so "why is it that all these things are coming ahead of the Lok Sabha elections".
"This is because the government does not have to answer questions on economic inequality, unemployment and price rise and rising crimes against women.
"If they do not do this, then how will they distract the country and they will not succeed in doing so," she said.
"New trivial issues will be unleashed till the time of (Lok
Sabha) elections so that there is no discussion on issues like unemployment, inflation, economic disparity, agriculture," Shrinate said.
Rajasthan Congress MLA Rafek Kumar said that every issue is brought up by the BJP "keeping in mind the elections".
"No issue of BJP is without political motivation," he said, adding that the government should bring everyone on board on an issue like UCC.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board opposed the UCC Bill, calling it an interference in religious matters. It also questioned the relevance of the Bill when it exempts the tribal population of the state.
"Basically, there is no use of such kind of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) when you are yourself saying that certain communities will be exempted from the Act. Then where is the uniformity?