Modi govt must take initiative to bring in Uniform Civil Code, BJD MP Mahtab tells Parliament

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who had made a similar demand on 1 December, now urged the government not to give reservation to STs if they undergo religious conversion.

BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab | File Photo | ANI

New Delhi: Days after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey urged the Narendra Modi government to bring in Uniform Civil Code (UCC), another MP, Biju Janata Dal’s Bhartruhari Mahtab, has urged the government to take steps for its implementation.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha Tuesday, Mahtab suggested the government should at least begin deliberations on the issue by forming a committee.

“It’s related to UCC. It is not imposing any religious code or any other religion.. but bringing in society under one code. During the making of the Constitution, it was debated and as the country was undergoing partition, it was thought fit that we should leave out the social religious code as it is being practiced for some years,” Mahtab said.

“But as India already is in the 75th year of its independence, I think it is now necessary that we should deliberate or the government should take the initiative to have Uniform Civil Code. Recently, this year alone, two specific high courts (Delhi and Allahabad) have made pronouncements relating to having the UCC,” he added.

The Uniform Civil Code envisions a common set of civil laws on matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance and succession for all citizens of the country, irrespective of their religion.

“UCC does not mean imposing Hindu code on every religion. UCC means to bring in better things from different codes together and I believe that Muslim code on marriage is the most modern system that we have in our country and I think that needs to be also involved with other religious things. Therefore, I request that the misconception should go and at the same time I also urge upon the government to take steps to implement UCC,” Mahtab said.

Concluding his statement, the BJD MP said the executive should come forward and form a panel. “Delhi HC has done it .. Allahabad HC has also made pronouncement, it is necessary (when) the suggestion has come from the judiciary, at least the executive should come forward and form a committee to bring a UCC,” he said.

Mahtab’s remarks come days after BJP member Nishikant Dubey, on 1 December, urged the government to bring in a law to implement UCC. “Even after 75 years of independence, we have not been able to bring in a Uniform Civil Code. I urge the government to soon bring a law to implement a Uniform Civil Code,” he had said.

On religious conversion

Meanwhile, Dubey, the MP from Godda in Jharkhand, urged the government not to give reservation to Scheduled Tribes (ST) like Scheduled Castes (SC) in case they convert to another religion.

“(In) the state that I come from, conversion has become a major issue. Under Article 341 and 342, SC and ST community have got reservation and other benefits. The issue of conversion.. why it is increasing is because they are being lured into conversion promising better prospects. Under Article 341 for SCs it is clearly mentioned that if they convert to any other religion, their status as SC will cease to exist and that’s the reason why SCs are still there,” he said.

Dubey said there is a provision under Article 341 wherein reservation is not extended to SCs in case they convert, and a similar provision should be brought in under Article 342 meant for Scheduled Tribes to discourage them from converting.

(Edited by Neha Mahajan)