Call for UCC a political ploy ahead of 2024 polls: Kerala CM Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has alleged a political agenda behind the call for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

CM Vijayan urged the central government to withdraw the call for UCC.

“The attempt to suddenly bring up a discussion surrounding the Uniform Civil Code is the BJP’s political ploy before the imminent polls,” CM Vijayan said.

“Those who suspect that any discussion on it at present, is aimed at undermining the nation’s plurality by imposing the dominance of the majority, cannot be faulted,” he said.

“This can only be seen as a plot to enforce their majoritarian agenda of ‘one nation, one culture’ by eliminating our nation’s cultural diversity,” he added.

The veteran CPI (M) leader said that rather than imposing a Uniform Civil Code, the focus should be on modernising and amending the discriminatory practices present in various personal laws.

“It is crucial that such efforts have the support of the followers of those different faiths. Such efforts must emerge on the basis of discussions in which all the concerned parties are engaged,” he said.

“Reform movements in the different religions have originated from within themselves. This is not an issue that can be resolved through a hasty executive decision,” he further added.

Citing the Law Commission’s 2018 opinion, Vijayan said, “In 2018, the previous Law Commission had opined that ‘a Uniform Civil Code is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage’.”

“Hence, proponents of the new move should first explain the circumstances that have necessitated a sudden deviation from that stance,” he added.

Highlighting India’s diversity, CM Vijayan said, “India is distinguished by its diversity, which embraces differences and disagreements, rather than a uniformity that suppresses them. What needs to be done, is to revise the various personal laws in tune with the times, rather than imposing uniformity with an ulterior motive.”

Appealing to the Central government to withdraw the UCC, CM Vijayan said, “The Union Government and the Law Commission should withdraw from their efforts to impose a Uniform Civil Code.”