Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that only those with one marriage will be allowed to reside in the state.
The CM informed that his government will introduce a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill during the upcoming Monsoon session of the Assembly, stressing that the proposed law will ensure a uniform legal framework for all citizens in the state, ANI reported.
“When there should be one nation, one Constitution, one head and one flag, why should there be separate laws for Hindus and Muslims? There should be one law for everyone. If Ram can have only one marriage, why should Rahim have two, three or four? Our Muslim sisters are also our sisters. Under the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), only a person who has one marriage will have the legal right to reside in Madhya Pradesh,” Mohan Yadav said in his address during the inauguration of a school in Katni district.
“There should be one system for everyone. Why should there be different laws? If anyone says ‘talaq, talaq, talaq’, they will be sent to jail. The era of triple talaq is over. Only one marriage will be legally recognised. We are bringing this law in Madhya Pradesh through the government because there should be no discrimination among citizens. We all are the children of Mother India in this country,” the chief minister elaborated.
The UCC Bill will first have to be approved by the cabinet.
“We are going to introduce this Bill in the upcoming monsoon session. Before taking the Bill to the Assembly, we will approve it in the next Cabinet meeting, scheduled to be held at Jagdishpur in Bhopal,” Yadav revealed. He alleged that the Congress has “created divisions by looking at issues through the prism of Hindus and Muslims.”
Congress object to CM’s remark
Congress questioned the chief minister’s reference to ‘Ram’ and ‘Rahim’.
“I condemn the chief minister’s statement because he used the names ‘Ram’ and ‘Rahim’. Both are sacred names in their respective religions and communities. Using those names as an analogy, I would say, reflects a decline in the chief minister’s thinking,” Congress spokesperson Abbas Hafeez said.
“I respect the chair he holds. When he speaks about the Uniform Civil Code, he gives the example of marriage. Is the chief minister also saying the same thing to our tribal communities? Does he not know that the Constitution permits polygamy for certain tribal communities in this country? Does he want to take away their rights as well,” Hafeez argued.
He alleged that the BJP was targeting one community for political gains.
“I do not want to go into a detailed debate on whether polygamy is good or bad, or what its advantages or disadvantages are. But when you target one community, while leaving another category untouched in the name of the UCC, you need to clarify your position. If you cannot provide that clarity or take firm steps, then you are simply doing politics. Giving the example that, under the UCC, the rights of one particular community will be taken away shows that your objective is political and nothing beyond politics,” Hafeez remarked.