LUCKNOW, Feb 5: At the time when the Places of Worship Act 1991 is being challenged in the courts, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday demanded the central government to ensure its proper implementation, while raising objections over the Uniform Civil Code and anti-conversion laws implemented by some states, including Uttar Pradesh.
A resolution in this regard was passed during the meeting of the AIMPLB executive committee which was presided over by the chairman of the board and rector of Nadwatul Islam Maulana Rabey Hasan Nadwi and attended by various office-bearers and members, including All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi.
A resolution passed in the meeting stated, “The Places of Worship Act 1991 was established by the Government of India after being passed in the Parliament, hence, it is the duty of the government to ensure its proper implementation. It is in the national interest. Otherwise, it could lead to endless differences among various religious groups. The government must not surrender to the separatist powers and should responsibly safeguard the legal interests of all.”
It may be noted that the Places of Worship Act has been challenged in the Supreme Court by several petitioners, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashwini Upadhyaya, on which the apex court has sought an affidavit from the central government.
General Secretary of the board Maulana Khalid Saif Ullah Rahmani said that the AIMPLB has also appealed to the government not to pursue Common Civil Code. The resolution states, “The fundamental rights comprise in giving full freedom to all citizens. Implementing a Uniform Civil Code will deprive citizens of the privileges provided to them by Personal Laws and that is against the spirit of the Constitution. Such a Code is neither relevant nor beneficial for a multi-religious, multicultural and multilingual country like India.”
It further said, “If, taking advantage of its majority in Parliament, the ruling government passes and puts into effect the Uniform Civil Code, it will affect the unity and harmony that bind the nation. It will hinder the country’s progress and will not bear any fruitful results either. This meeting of the board, which represents Muslims and their various schools of thought, appeals to the government not to pursue this agenda. Instead, they should focus on the live and present issues the country is facing.”
The AIMPLB has also raised objections over anti-conversion laws implemented by some states.
“Religion and faith are matters of belief and conscience. Hence, the decision to follow a religion is natural. The Constitution honours this as a fundamental right and so everyone has freedom to follow a religion of his choice. It is unfair to use force or money to influence an individual in this matter. However, in many states, laws have been made to deprive citizens of this very basic right. This is totally unacceptable. Yet, those who willingly choose to switch from one religion to another are free to do so,” said a resolution passed in the meeting.
The board has also raised objections over persons being implicated in a case without trial and demolishing their houses. “Law makes the human society civilized and on the other hand, takes to task all despots and trouble-makers in order to do justice to the persecuted. Law is a ray of hope for justice. Lawlessness steeps society into anarchy. Thus, whether the ruler or public, minorities or those in majority, the incumbent government or the opposition, affluent or the impoverished, it is mandatory for all to follow the rule of law and not take law in their hands,” its resolution said.
The resolution said, “Unfortunately, lawlessness is prevailing in the country and the attempt is to implicate the accused even before the prosecution and litigation take their course. Houses built for decades are getting razed. Those holding peaceful demonstrations are framed under the most stringent of laws and put behind the bars indefinitely. Lawlessness, whether on the part of the citizens or the rulers, is condemnable and all citizens and stakeholders must oppose it strongly.
The board also appealed to the central government to control hatred being spread in the country as it may cause irreparable loss. “An appeal to the highest authorities to put in place stringent measures to control hatred that was being spread across the country before irreparable damage is done to the fabric of our nation’s harmony,” the resolution said.
It said, “Members reiterated that for centuries India has thrived on the strength of integrity among its population that comprises innumerable religions, castes and factions, upholding thus the values vested in our Constitution. Discord being created is opposed to the path of unity and inclusiveness that was followed by our freedom fighters and makers of the Constitution, the members deliberated.
The board has also appealed to the judiciary that injustice is not meted on the minorities. “The tenets of equality, justice and freedom enshrined in the Constitution are to be safeguarded responsibly by the government and the judiciary. Hence, it is an appeal to the judiciary to take a serious note of injustice being meted out to the weaker sections of the society and the minorities and thus fulfill their responsibility. Judiciary is the last hope for the public. No bigger misfortune can there be than disappointment on this front,” it resolution said.
The resolution said, “Waqfs are religious properties established by Muslims for the welfare of the community, therefore, it is important to use them only for that purpose. It is unlawful for any citizen or government to grab waqf properties. The AIMPLB strongly opposes statements by some public representatives instigating action to deprive Muslims of their waqf properties and appeals to the government to beware of such actions. The Board advises Muslims to take best and most responsible care of waqf properties. They are also advised to use the waqf properties as much as possible for educational purposes.”
The board has also appealed to the Muslims to establish more and more education institutions to ensure that religious values are preserved.
“In view of the circumstances prevailing, AIMPLB appeals to Muslims to establish more and more educational institutions to ensure that their religious and cultural values are preserved and thrive,” the resolution said.
It has asked the Muslims to follow the tenets of Islam in toto. “Islam means surrender to God, thus, it is the basic duty of all Muslims to follow religion and its beliefs by the book. Justice should be meted out to the women of the community, best care given to elders and there should be abstinence from ostentatious expenses at weddings,” it said.
It further said, “Muslims should resolve their issues by turning first to the religious heads for advice. Intoxication, adultery, interest homosexuality and continuing to live with divorced spouses are practices that do not benefit a true Muslim, nor are enforced by the country’s law.”
The resolution said, “Nikahnama authorized by the AIMPLB must be used to seal a matrimonial alliance. In the board’s nikahnama, rights and duties of husband and wife are enumerated with clarity and thus they cut out incidence of dispute or divorce. Thus, disputes can be resolved with minimum time, effort and money.” (UNI)
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