BHOPAL: Members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) convened in Bhopal to register their firm opposition to the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), urging citizens to participate in a planned demonstration in New Delhi on Sept. 17.
According to media reports, the meeting at the Khanugaon campus was followed by a press conference featuring Bhopal City Qazi Mushtaq Ali Nadvi alongside senior AIMPLB executive member and Congress lawmaker Arif Masood.
Both representatives stated that the UCC remains unacceptable to the Muslim community, contending that the Indian Constitution explicitly safeguards religious freedom and minority rights.
Referencing historical precedent, Nadvi cited a 1972 speech delivered in Delhi by former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief M.S. Golwalkar, in which Golwalkar reportedly stated that a uniform civil code was not essential for national integration. Nadvi emphasized that matters pertaining to Islamic personal law should be evaluated by community scholars who understand its provisions, adding that Islam has long guaranteed women’s rights regarding property inheritance and social status.
Cautioning against policies that marginalise minority communities, Nadvi expressed hope for peaceful coexistence while calling on authorities to reconsider the proposal thoughtfully.
Outlining the board’s legal strategy, Masood stated that the AIMPLB’s legal panel is actively drafting a coordinated petition to challenge the initiative in the High Court and Supreme Court.
He advised individuals against filing independent court petitions, stressing that a unified legal approach under expert guidance remains essential.
The AIMPLB has called upon community members and secular organisations to gather at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sept. 17, stating that future actions will align with directives issued by the board.
