Secular Country Needs A Secular Mindset
After partition of India in 1947, the area under British rule was divided in two part, India and Pakistan. While leadership responsible for formation of Pakistan preferred to run it as polarised Muslim country, on the other hand India preferred to remain a country based on secular values. Ideally India would have framed a Unified Civil Code right from beginning but the fact remains that even Hindus wanted their own Code ! So Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is long pending and this Vote Bank politics does not allow this to happen.
The Muslims who stayed away in India at the time of partition, were supposed to believe in secular way of life. But the vote bank politics compelled them to mingle in the mainstream of India. With the result whenever some one talk about reforming Muslim practices which has lost relevance due to changing dynamics of time, it has taken as an attack on the very existence of community.
Remember Shah Bano Case, the than Rajiv Gandhi Government reversed the apex court's decision in anticipation of loosing Muslim votes.
In the recent times, the law Commission has begun consultations on a theme that finds mention in the Directive Principles of Constitution but has never acted upon, pronouncement of triple talak is probably one of such practice. As expected, the very mention of this provoked protests from Muslim organisations including the Muslim Personal Law Board. Following the Union Government's affidavit in the triple talaq case and PM's intervention in the matter, it appears that the proposed reform of Muslim divorce procedures is the thin edge of the wedge. The government clarified but most of the Muslim pressure groups, basically male dominated, fear that BJP want to act on its long standing commitment to a Unified Civil Code.
There is a feeling in Muslims in India that any change in their personal laws is direct interference in their religion and faith. Unfortunately the community does not have a responsible and progressive leadership which can raise rational voice. The fact of the matter is that in most of the Muslim countries lot many reforms have taken place, pronouncing triple talq there is null and void. Even triple talaq is banned in Pakistan whose very foundation is based on Muslim faith.
The leadership of Muslim community in India is mostly comes from clergies who do not want to welcome any progressive change for the fear of loosing their grip. But the point is, in case they do not want any interference in the personal laws than why they do not force government to enforce stringent Shariat Laws for punishment. So this double standard will continue forever as no political party want to loose its' vote share from the Muslim chunk and till educated Muslims revolt against the present day leadership of their community. moore than making laws, the concern for reform should come from the community itself. Remember it was Raja Ram Mohan Rai raise a voice against child marriage and status of widows, initially he faced violent opposition but the community accepted his rreasoning. The point here is very simple, Muslims in Europe and America have not lost their faith simply because they are governed by the laws applicable to all citizens.
The Muslims who stayed away in India at the time of partition, were supposed to believe in secular way of life. But the vote bank politics compelled them to mingle in the mainstream of India. With the result whenever some one talk about reforming Muslim practices which has lost relevance due to changing dynamics of time, it has taken as an attack on the very existence of community.
Remember Shah Bano Case, the than Rajiv Gandhi Government reversed the apex court's decision in anticipation of loosing Muslim votes.
In the recent times, the law Commission has begun consultations on a theme that finds mention in the Directive Principles of Constitution but has never acted upon, pronouncement of triple talak is probably one of such practice. As expected, the very mention of this provoked protests from Muslim organisations including the Muslim Personal Law Board. Following the Union Government's affidavit in the triple talaq case and PM's intervention in the matter, it appears that the proposed reform of Muslim divorce procedures is the thin edge of the wedge. The government clarified but most of the Muslim pressure groups, basically male dominated, fear that BJP want to act on its long standing commitment to a Unified Civil Code.
There is a feeling in Muslims in India that any change in their personal laws is direct interference in their religion and faith. Unfortunately the community does not have a responsible and progressive leadership which can raise rational voice. The fact of the matter is that in most of the Muslim countries lot many reforms have taken place, pronouncing triple talq there is null and void. Even triple talaq is banned in Pakistan whose very foundation is based on Muslim faith.
The leadership of Muslim community in India is mostly comes from clergies who do not want to welcome any progressive change for the fear of loosing their grip. But the point is, in case they do not want any interference in the personal laws than why they do not force government to enforce stringent Shariat Laws for punishment. So this double standard will continue forever as no political party want to loose its' vote share from the Muslim chunk and till educated Muslims revolt against the present day leadership of their community. moore than making laws, the concern for reform should come from the community itself. Remember it was Raja Ram Mohan Rai raise a voice against child marriage and status of widows, initially he faced violent opposition but the community accepted his rreasoning. The point here is very simple, Muslims in Europe and America have not lost their faith simply because they are governed by the laws applicable to all citizens.
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