Committee to collect suggestions from all divisions and districts and prepare a comprehensive proposal for submission to the state’s Uniform Civil Code panel
Raipur : A significant meeting of prominent members of the Muslim community was held in Raipur to discuss the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Chhattisgarh. The meeting focused on constructive dialogue, constitutional values and matters concerning the interests of the community.
One of the key decisions taken at the meeting was to constitute a state-level committee representing the Muslim community. The committee will consult various sections of society across all divisions and districts of Chhattisgarh and prepare a comprehensive set of suggestions on the proposed UCC.
The final proposal is expected to be compiled through a joint team of legal experts and Islamic scholars and ulema and subsequently submitted to the Uniform Civil Code Committee constituted by the Chhattisgarh government.
State-Level Committee to Seek Views Across Chhattisgarh
The meeting was organised against the backdrop of the state government’s invitation to different sections of society to submit their views on the proposed UCC.
Senior advocates, legal experts, ulema, muftis, the city Qazi, scholars of the Quran and Sharia, Islamic scholars and representatives of social organisations participated in the discussion.
The objective was to begin the process of preparing a positive, constitutional and fact-based representation from the Muslim community on various aspects of the proposed legislation.
The proposed state-level committee will not restrict its consultations to Raipur. It will reach out to communities in different divisions and districts and seek views from a broad cross-section of stakeholders.
These consultations are expected to include Islamic scholars, ulema, advocates, mutawallis, social organisations, women, intellectuals and other members of the community.
The suggestions received during the consultations will then be examined and organised by a joint team of legal experts and ulema before the final memorandum is prepared.
Discussion on Marriage, Mahr, Divorce and Inheritance
Several issues relating to Muslim personal and family matters were discussed during the meeting.
These included nikah (marriage), mahr, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, wills, children’s rights and women’s rights.
Participants stressed the need to obtain views from different sections of the community and examine these issues from both legal and factual perspectives before submitting a formal representation to the UCC committee.
Focus on Equality and Women’s Rights
Participants also emphasised the importance of equality before the law and equal rights for all citizens.
The meeting discussed the need to ensure justice, dignity and equal rights for women. Issues such as women’s economic rights, maintenance, inheritance and social security were also identified as important areas for consideration while preparing the community’s suggestions.
The participants said that the concerns and recommendations relating to women should be examined within the broader framework of constitutional rights and social justice.
Community Seeks Discussion on Sharia-Related Concerns
Another important aspect of the discussion concerned the community’s understanding of Sharia and its role in family and social matters.
Participants said that Sharia should not be viewed solely in terms of religious practices, but also in the context of family responsibilities, justice, women’s economic rights, inheritance and social balance.
The proposed committee will seek to present these aspects in a factual and constitutional framework before the UCC panel so that the social and legal concerns raised by the community can be considered during the consultation process.
Constitution and Nation Given Priority
The participants stressed that the nation and the Constitution should remain paramount while discussing any proposed legislation.
They said that the formulation and implementation of any law should take into account constitutional values, citizens’ rights, equality, justice and religious freedom.
The community’s representation, they said, would seek to maintain a balance between the principles of equality and justice enshrined in the Constitution and the constitutional protection of religious freedom.
Emphasis on Constructive Dialogue
The meeting also stressed that the issue of UCC should be approached through constructive dialogue rather than simply opposition.
Participants agreed that the community’s views should be presented before the government committee on the basis of constitutional principles, legal considerations and facts.
The state-level consultation process is expected to provide an opportunity for members of the Muslim community from different parts of Chhattisgarh to put forward their views before a consolidated proposal is submitted to the government’s UCC committee.
Legal Experts, Religious Scholars and Community Representatives Attend
The meeting was attended by senior advocates, legal experts, ulema, muftis, Islamic scholars, representatives of social organisations and other prominent members of the Muslim community.
Among those who participated and shared their views were Maulana Qari Imran Ashrafi, Advocate Faisal Rizvi, Chhattisgarh State Waqf Board Chairman Dr Salim Raj and former chairman Salam Rizvi, along with several other prominent members of the community.
The decision to establish a state-level committee marks the beginning of a broader consultation process through which the Muslim community plans to gather views from across Chhattisgarh and present its concerns and recommendations before the state’s UCC committee.
