UCC: Muslim leaders demand abolition of Article 44

Hyderabad, Nov 14 (INN): Muslim leaders, representing various religious, social and political organisations, on Sunday warned the BJP-led NDA Government against the imposition of Uniform Civil Code in the country.

Addressing a hugely attended public meeting at Exhibition Grounds in Nampally on Sunday night, Muslim leaders urged the Centre to abolish Article 44 of the Constitution which provides for introduction of UCC.

The meeting, presided by Tahreek Muslim Shabban Mohammed Mushtaq Mallik, witnessed the participation of eminent leaders from across the country. They include Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir, All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Hafiz Ahmed Rasheed Chowdhary, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami-e-Hind Moulana Hamed Mohammed Khan, Jamiatul Ulema president Moualna Mufti Ghyas Rahmani, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat president Naveed Ahmed, Janata Dal (S) General Secretary K. Danish Ali, Aligar Muslim University ex-President Dr. Nazer Abbbas, Allama Mufti Mansoor Zai, CPI leader Aziz Pasha, ex-MLA of Bidar Syed Zulfeqar Hashmi and other leaders also addressed the meeting.

Resolutions were passed demand abolition of Article 44 and also for creation of Shariah Academy.

Addressing the meeting, Mushtaq Mallik said that there would be no compromise on Shariah and the Central Government would not be allowed to intervene into or change Muslim Personal Law. He said Muslims prefer Shariah over their lives and they would do anything to protect the Shariyat. He said that the UCC move was a part of larger conspiracy hatched by RSS to 'saffaronise' the country.

Deputy CM Mahmood Ali described the UCC proposal as a move to incite communal feelings. He said no one is empowered to make any changes in the Shariyat. He said that Chief Minster K. Chandrashekar Rao was totally against the UCC and wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to first eradicate poverty before raising controversial issues. He said Muslims could sacrifice their lives, but could not agree for any change in the Shariah Laws. He said that the Muslims would wage a strong legal battle against the UCC proposal in the Supreme Court.

Congress leader Shabbir Ali said that the debate on UCC was triggered without any provocation. He said that the fight against UCC was between secular and communal people. He said efforts were being made by the BJP to incite communal feelings on regular basis. Starting with issues like Love Jihad, Ghar Wapasi, Gau Raksha, the BJP is now trying to provoke Muslims on the issue of Triple Talaq and Uniform Civil Code. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sympathy for Muslim women was fake. He said Modi should first give justice to his wife Anandiben whom he has abandoned several decades ago.

Shabbir Ali said that the Congress party, during its rule, never interfered with the Personal Laws and would strongly oppose the proposed Uniform Civil Code.

The Muslim leaders, in their address, said that the fight against Uniform Civil Code needs be fought democratically, politically and legally. They also stressed on creating awareness within the Muslim society about Muslim Personal Law and other issues concerning the community.

Other leaders who addressed the meeting include Shaik-ul-Jamia Nizamia Moualna Ziauddin Naqshbandi, Moulana Mufti Sadiq Mohiuddin Faheem, Moulana Syed Shah Asrar Hussain Rizvi, Moualna Mufti Tajammul Hussain Qasmi, Moulana Shafeeq Alam Jameel, Moulana Mohd Arshad Qasmi and Moulana Naseeruddin.