'BJP formed UCC panel to hide its failures': Asaduddin Owaisi lashes out at Gujarat govt

Reacting to Gujarat government's move to form a panel on Uniform Civil Code, AIMIM president Asuddin Owaisi on Tuesday contended that BJP was trying to hide its failures. On Monday, Bhupendra Patel-led government decided to constitute a high-level committee heed by a retired High Court or Supreme Court judge to examine need for a UCC in state and prepare a draft for same. Speaking to media, Owaisi indicated that UCC won't help dress purported discrimination in state. 

Asuddin Owaisi remarked, "BJP has formed Uniform Civil Code committee before elections to hide its failures and wrong decisions. Why do only Hindus get a Hindu undivided tax rebate? Give it to Muslims too. This is against right to equality. re is Disturbed Areas Act in Gujarat. DM does not give permission to a Muslim to buy a house belonging to a person of anor religion. You don't get permission if someone wants to change ir religion. Is this Uniform Civil Code?"

"Isn't Article 39 re in Directive Principle of State Policy which states that wealth of country should be distributed equally among everyone? Today, country's 60% wealth is in hands of how many persons? So, y are bringing Uniform Civil Code to hide ir failures," he ded. 

Demand for UCC

While  UCC finds a mention in Article 44 of Constitution which res, " State shall endeavour to secure for citizens a uniform civil code throughout territory of India", it is not binding being a part of Directive Principles of State Policy in Constitution. On July 7, 2021, a single-judge bench of Delhi High Court Justice Pratibha Singh backed need for a UCC and asked Ministry of Law and Justice to take necessary action as deemed appropriate. She was hearing a plea to determine applicability of Hindu Marriage Act, of 1955, to Meena community.

Maintaining that this case highlights necessity of a UCC, she expressed surprise at fact that Centre has failed to take any steps in this regard despite a 1985 Supreme Court verdict in this regard. Meanwhile, Allahab HC on November 18, 2021, held that a UCC is mandatory.  single-judge bench of Justice Suneet Kumar was hearing a batch of 17 petitions pertaining to protection sought by interfaith couples. In May, BJP-ruled Uttarakhand became  first state to set up a high-level committee to draft a UCC for state.