New Delhi (7 Nov. 2015) Jamaat-e-Islami Hind chief Maulana Syed Jalauddin Umari expressed strong apprehensions over the recent observations by the judiciary about enforcing Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India and the abrogation of Muslim Personal Law. Addressing the media in the monthly press conference of Jamaat in New Delhi, Maulana Umari opined that a UCC is practically impossible for a multi-religious country like India. He said that the Constitution of India guarantees the Muslims and other minorities the freedom and fundamental right to observe personal laws according to their religion and no government or court, therefore, can do away with Muslim Personal Law. Moreover the Personal law of Muslims is an intrinsic part of their religion and hence modification or abrogation of Muslim Personal Law is tantamount to an infringement of Article 25 of the Constitution which says that all citizens of India are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion. UCC is just a recommendation under the Directive Principles and it is up to the government to formulate it or not. If a court has any objection to any article in any of the Personal Laws, it can and should consult and discuss with the experts of that personal law. But it is not right if one says that Personal Law should be done away with and UCC should replace it. Maulana Umari endorsed the efforts of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) towards the preservation of Muslim Personal Law in India and said that Jamaat supports the AIMPLB.

Earlier while briefing the press, the Secretary General of Jamaat – Engineer Muhammad Salim expressed serious concern at the lackadaisical attitude of the Central government towards growing fascism in India and the completely cynical manner in which the government is discouraging and condemning members of civil society, writers, artists and notable citizens of India who are raising their voice against the climate of hatred and violence.  Luminaries such as Raghuram Rajan, Narayan Murthy, P.M. Bhargava and even the international rating agency Moody’s have indirectly warned the government to mend its ways and rein in the fascist forces, but so far the government seems to be in denial mode, reluctant to act against the fringe and remains indifferent, almost paralyzed even as the image of country is suffering internationally and the social fabric of this country is being rent asunder.