New Delhi , Prominent figures in the Indian Muslim community, including the president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, have expressed strong opposition to the proposed implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India, framing it as an attempt at the Hinduization of Muslims.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the opposition was voiced amidst heightened debates over the UCC’s potential effects on religious minorities. The UCC aims to introduce a common set of laws for all citizens, concerning marriage, divorce, and inheritance, irrespective of their religion. However, leaders like Madani view it as a threat to the Muslim community’s adherence to Shariah law, stating, “Any law against Shariah is not acceptable for us.” This stance underscores the community’s concerns over losing their religious and cultural autonomy under the UCC.

Asaduddin Owaisi, leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) and a parliament member, has also criticized the UCC, particularly its introduction in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly by the BJP government. Owaisi has termed the UCC as a “Hindu Code,” highlighting its failure to encompass Hindu joint families within its scope. On social media, Owaisi questioned the exclusion of Hindu families in discussions on succession and inheritance, emphasizing the bill’s focus on issues like polygamy and halala but not on equivalent practices among Hindus.

The debate around the UCC has intensified following the presentation of a bill in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, which has been met with resistance from Muslim leaders and secular factions alike. Critics argue that the UCC, by aiming to replace religious laws like Shariah with a uniform legal framework, risks infringing on the religious freedoms and cultural identity of India’s Muslim population.

The controversy surrounding the UCC reflects broader concerns about the potential imposition of majoritarian values and the marginalization of minority communities within India’s diverse societal fabric.