'Don't link triple talaq and Uniform Civil Code'

Union Ministers Radha Mohan Singh and M Venkaiah Naidu

Union Ministers Radha Mohan Singh and M Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi: The government yesterday rebuked the All India Muslim Personal Law Board for trying to "politicise" the law panel's move to seek feedback on uniform civil code and said it should not be linked to 'triple talaq,' where the core issue is gender justice and ending discrimination against women.

Calling for an "enlightened debate" on Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the "real mood" of the country was to end triple talaq and some people were trying to create confusion over the two issues.

"You (All India Muslim Personal Law Board) join the debate. Let there be enlightened debate you put forth your point of view. Let a consensus be evolved. Why are you trying to bring in the name of Prime Minister and call him dictator," Naidu told reporters.

Government's sharp reaction came a day after All India Muslim Personal Law Board and various other Muslim organisations announced that they will boycott Law Commission's process to take views on the contentious Uniform Civil Code. They said the move amounted to the Modi government declaring "war" on their religious rights and that UCC will "kill" India's pluralism.

Naidu said the Law Commission wants a thorough discussion on UCC and if the AIMPLB does not want to participate in the debate, it was their choice. He further said Uniform Civil Code is enshrined in Article 44 of the Directive Principles of the Constitution and not brought in by NDA government or Prime Minister Narendra Modi.