Kolkata: The SCs and STs as well as Lingayats, Buddhist, Other Backward Communities’ organizations, after Muslims, who have also come out in the open to oppose the government initiative on Uniform Civil Code have decided to join hands with Muslims in the ongoing legal battle in the Supreme Court which has been imposed by the Union Government on Muslims.
This was revealed by the All India Muslim Personal Board, (AIMPLB), general secretary Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani while presenting the secretary report on Saturday, the second day of the three-day 25th conference of the Board here in Kolkata.
Maulana Wali Rahmani said as per these organisations it is against the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution and that will obliterate their distinct identity from Hinduism.
Meanwhile, it may be recalled here that on October 20, 2016 addressing a joint press conference Dalit, tribal and Buddhist leaders have condemned the move in one voice. They described the move as ‘electoral gimmick’ of the Modi government in view of the forthcoming crucial assembly elections in UP. They also underlined that UCC is not only a Muslim issue but of hundreds of the religious entities across the country who do not believe in Hinduism in its Brahmanical face.
Condemning the move, Prem Kumar Gedam National Coordinator, Rashtriya Adivasi Ekta Parishad, had said tribal communities have their own distinct cultural identity and customs and they are governed by their customary as UCC is a real threat to their identity.
Gedam had them openly asserted that the tribals have nothing do with Hinduism. They are enumerated as Hindus in Census report due to the wrongdoings of enumerators who took advantage of ignorance of the tribal people. He cited Article 342 and 244 of the Constitution to prove his point.
Maulana Rahmani in his 30-page report also pointed out AIMPLB had launched country-wide “Deen aur Dastoor Bachav Tehrik” (Save Religion and Constitution Campaign) in August 2015. The campaign was launched to protect the secular fabric of the country by holding seminars and symposiums all over the country in different cities and centres urging people to contribute in strengthening secular aspects of the country and to uphold the present Indian Constitution.
A joint Press conference was then organised on August 21, 2015 in New Delhi with the leaders of various minorities and backward communities’ organisations of the country in connection with this campaign. Then a Common Minimum Programme was agreed upon with these organisations to fight back growing attacks on minorities and safeguard the basic tenets of Indian constitution like secularism, justice, freedom, equality and fraternity which are being compromised with an intention to colour India from a secular State to a particular religion-based country. The campaign is engaged in doing its duty and the efforts will bear fruits in due course of time, he added.
After Maulana Wali Rahmani’s report discussion was held wherein many members gave valuable suggestions to improve the working of the AIMPLB further.
Meanwhile, budget of AIMPLB was presented by the treasurer after throwing light on the financial health of the Board. The budget was okayed by voice vote.
Courtesy: MM