New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Monday announced its decision to mount a legal challenge against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the judiciary. The apex Muslim body also raised serious reservations over the mandatory singing of Vande Mataram in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled states, asserting that the practice directly conflicts with the foundational Islamic principle of monotheism.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital following a crucial meeting of the board’s executive working committee, AIMPLB spokesperson Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas stated that the organization will approach respective High Courts wherever the UCC is enacted. He added that the board remains prepared to move the Supreme Court if the situation warrants further legal intervention.
The prominent Muslim body expressed deep anxiety over what it described as a targeted campaign against the minority community. Highlighting recent developments across several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, Ilyas pointed to the demolition of mosques and madrasas, incidents of lynching, and the rise of hate speech involving individuals occupying positions of power within the ruling dispensation as matters of grave concern.
Expounding on the board’s stance regarding Vande Mataram, Ilyas clarified that the objection is rooted in theology rather than political resistance. He explained that the song, originally a part of the novel Anandamath, involves the veneration of deities, which directly contradicts the monotheistic core of Islam. While noting that standing out of respect for the national song is not incorrect, the spokesperson emphasized that making its recitation mandatory violates constitutional provisions. He also referenced a recent Calcutta High Court ruling which observed that forcing citizens to read or sing it is inappropriate.
To counter these challenges, the AIMPLB has resolved to compile a comprehensive, fact-based document detailing the recent instances of demolitions, hate speeches, and lynchings across the country. The board further announced a nationwide awareness campaign and has constituted a dedicated committee to engage with various secular groups, civil society members, and citizens who stand for communal harmony through public conventions and outreach marches.
Expressing disappointment with the current political landscape, the working committee also criticized mainstream secular opposition parties for failing to play their expected role in defending minority rights and constitutional secularism. The legal strategy and documentation drive are expected to commence concurrently as the board readies its petitions for the courts.