Triple Talaq row: Uniform Civil Code is not in India's favour, says MPLB

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, while defending triple talaq, said any move to change family laws will not be in the nation's favour.

"Uniform Civil Code is not good for this nation. There are so many cultures in this nation; all have to be respected," said the Muslim Personal Law Board.

"We are living in this country with an agreement held by the Constitution which has made us live and practice our religion," MPLB said while arguing that if India follows the United States on every matter, why it doesn't follow America on this particular issue as well.

He said, "In America, everyone follows their personal laws and identity, how come our nation doesn't want to follow their steps in this matter?"

The Law Commission on 13 October has sought public opinion on the exercise of reforming family laws of all religions.

The Commission has reportedly appealed to members of religious, minority and social groups, non-government organisations, to present their views through a questionnaire on a range of issues, including the practice of triple talaq, the right to property for a woman citizen and polygamy.

However, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has been defending the triple talaq system and termed the affidavit "un-islamic".

The board claims that triple talaq is a personal law and the Centre has no right to modify it.

Abu Azmi, the President of Maharashtra State branch of Samajwadi Party also showed resistance towards the latest stand taken by the Supreme Court over the implementation of the Uniform Civil code.

He said, "Uniform Civil Code will never be accepted because India is a democratic country and everyone has a right to freedom of religion."

"I do not accept that the government will change the norms of religion and replace it with their laws," he added.

Azmi also added that if the government will make its own rule then he would not accept it, adding that neither Muslims nor Hindus will accept any enforcement by the government in the sayings inscribed in their holy book.

"I can guarantee you that nobody will tolerate this in the country," Azmi told ANI.

The need to bring in the Uniform Civil Code has been growing after women activists sought judicial intervention to ban triple talaq and polygamy.

Many activists defending the Uniform Civil Code have appealed to not pay much attention to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, as it is a non-government organisation and doesn't hold any authority

MLBP was constituted in 1973 to adopt suitable strategies for the protection and continued applicability of Muslim Personal Law in India.

--with agency inputs