Mumbai, June 23 (IANS) While leaders of the ruling MahaYuti on Tuesday came in support of the Maharashtra government’s decision to form a retired High Court judge-led committee to submit a report on implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state, the Opposition demanded for the law to be “inclusive”.

Talking to IANS, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane said: “The UCC is mentioned in the Constitution. Whoever believes and accepts Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution will have to accept the UCC.”

Hitting out at those opposing the implementation of the proposed law, Rane added: “Those who want to follow or believe in Sharia law, can go to a nation where it is followed. In our country, we follow the Constitution, and our Constitution mentions the UCC. We will implement it.”

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde told reporters that Shiv Sena has always maintained a positive stand on this issue.

“The position of Bal Thackeray was also the same. There should be one law for the entire country — a Uniform Civil Code. Everyone should receive equal justice. This has always been Shiv Sena’s position,” he asserted.

BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar said: “When discussions take place in the State Assembly about the safety, protection, and welfare of women, our position has always been that women’s suffering should not be viewed through the lens of religion.”

While emphasising that no religion allows the oppression or disrespect of women, he mentioned: “We will raise our voice against atrocities on women irrespective of any religion.”

However, NCP MLA Sana Malik said: “We have absolutely no opposition to the UCC. However, since the UCC has not yet been introduced, it should be brought in an inclusive manner, keeping in mind that Article 25 of the Constitution gives everyone the right to practice and follow their own customs and traditions. That is our position.”

Maintaining that it is the government’s authority to form a committee for taking review or for discussing any matter, Congress leader Arif Naseem Khan said: “The question that arises is about the timing. The issue of the UCC was raised in the Legislature through a Bharatiya Janata Party member, and a decision to constitute a committee was announced.”

“Somewhere, this appears to be diverting attention from the real issues bothering the people of Maharashtra,” he added.

Khan added that the party will certainly discuss whatever is done within the framework of the Constitution and in the interest of the people.

“Article 25 of the Constitution gives every community, every religion, every language group, and every section of society living in this country, the right to practice and follow their faith and religious traditions. If the Bharatiya Janata Party tries to interfere with those rights, then the Congress will certainly oppose it,” he told IANS.

–IANS

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