Sukhbir Badal on Uniform Civil Code: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday said that the 22nd Law Commission had proposed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) which is not in the interest of the country. The SAD said that implementing the UCC without genuine nationwide inter-religious consensus, especially among minorities, would violate the spirit of the Constitution and would create fear. In a letter sent to the member of the commission, party president Sukhbir Badal wrote, “Uniformity should not be confused with unity. India is a symbol of unity in diversity, not uniformity.
Appeal to respect the sentiments of the Sikh community
Badal wrote that only a true federal structure can solve our problems and make India a global superpower. Urging the Modi government not to push the idea of UCC, Badal urged the Center to respect the sentiments of the patriotic Sikh community before taking any decision on the issue.
This is important because peace and communal harmony in the sensitive border state of Punjab must always remain the top national priority. The ASD president also informed the commission that the party has held consultations with various stakeholders in the state and outside. Based on that, the broad impression we have made is that if the UCC is implemented, the freedom of minority communities of different castes, creeds and religions will definitely be affected.
UCC will also affect social tribes
The letter also states that since no draft of the proposed UCC has been prepared and circulated along with the notices issued by the Law Commission regarding proposed amendments to the existing personal laws of various religions, there is no discussion on this issue. It is impossible to give concrete suggestions. It has also been said in the letter that a strong draft should be prepared underlining all the details of the proposed law.
This draft should be circulated among the people all over the country so that they can give feedback. Sukhbir Badal also said that the proposed UCC would also affect social tribes who have their own diverse customs, culture and different personal laws.
