DMK leader M. Karunanidhi on Monday said the BJP-led NDA government had “stirred a hornet’s nest” by asking the Law Commission to examine in detail all issues pertaining to the Uniform Civil Code and submit a report to the government.
Recalling RSS leader M.S. Golwalkar’s opinion that it was wrong to presume that uniform civil code would protect the unity of India, he said the late leader in an interview to Mother Land magazine had reiterated that it was against nature and would result in dangerous consequences.
“The BJP government should keep in mind the words of Golwalkar. It should evolve consensus on all political parties on the issue,” he said in a statement here.
Mr. Karunanidhi said it was not important to get the opinion of the Law Commission on the issue. “It is not easy to brush aside customs and practices followed by various communities and religions for generations and evolve a uniform civil code,” he said.
Mr. Karunanidhi pointed out that the BJP government had dropped the idea of bringing in a uniform civil code in 1998 and again in 1999 and alleged that it has raked up the issue now with an eye on the forthcoming Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.
The DMK leader said most existing laws were common to all communities and a Muslim could not argue against paying interest to bank loan because Islam had not approved paying interest.
“Indian Constitution has permitted separate laws for Muslims with regard to marriage, administration of Wakf Board properties and property rights. Even Hindus, Sikhs and other religious groups have been allowed separate laws,” he said.
Mr. Karunanidhi said implementing a uniform civil code was not possible in a country where various ethnic and religious groups and communities coexisted for generations. “Even a particular custom of a community runs totally against the custom of another community. A common civil code in this country is beyond everyone’s imagination,” he said.
‘BJP is raking up the issue now with an eye on the forthcoming Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh’
