Muslim community take to streets against Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand; what Muslim religious leaders said?

The protest against the Uniform Civil Code Bill has started just before its introduction in the Uttarakhand Assembly. Protesters said this black legislation should be withdrawn.

In Dehradun, protesters marched towards the Assembly under the leadership of former Minister of State of Uttarakhand Government, Yaqoob Siddiqui.

The protesters are demanding withdrawal of UCC. This bill will be placed on the table of the Assembly on Tuesday.

Considering the numerical strength in the Assembly, it is considered certain that this bill will be passed.

Yaqoob Siddiqui, convener of Numinda Group of Uttarakhand, enjoyed the status of the Minister of State in Uttarakhand from 2002 to 2007.

Under his leadership, people of the Muslim community marched to the Assembly demanding withdrawal of the Uniform Civil Code. Siddiqui said that he has taken to the streets to save Shariat.

Siddiqui said that if Shariat is abolished then my faith will be in danger. He also says that religious leaders have more responsibility than him.

At the same time, Aaqib Qureshi, vice president of Muslim Seva Sangathan, says that the details of this draft are not clear yet. Once this comes out then we will see what is there in it.

He said that if it is against Shariat and Quran then we will definitely oppose it, we will take to the streets and protest.

UCC will affect all religions: Cleric  

Muslim cleric Sajid Rashidi asked Muslims to protest against the Uttarakhand government's move to pave the way for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in the state as a test case before it is enforced across the country.

He said, “UCC will not only affect Muslims but every religion in India. Since every religion is different no one can say that they can be united. I believe that Muslims have to unite and protest against this just like the farmers’ protest took place a few years back. Sacrifice has to be made.”

Main agenda of CM Dhami

The committee of experts formed by the Uttarakhand government has submitted its report on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Implementing Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand is one of the most important programs of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. On the last day of the assembly election campaign in 2022, he suddenly made this announcement saying that if BJP wins, Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in the state.

The Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) report on Sunday, two days before the bill is likely to be tabled in the Uttarakhand Assembly. 

If implemented, Uttarakhand will become the first state in the country to adopt UCC.  BJP state in-charge Dushyant Gautam said, "Following the enactment of the UCC in Uttarakhand, similar bills are expected to be placed before the assemblies in other states as well. UCC has already been operational in Goa since the days of Portuguese rule."

Although Pushkar Singh Dhami had lost the election from his traditional seat Khatima, BJP had decided to make him the Chief Minister and after three months, he came to the Assembly after winning the by-election from Champawat.