Put uniform civil code draft in public domain: Abid Rasool Khan

The Muslim community would accept a uniform civil code if there is a fair discussion of its draft and their issues are addressed, Abid Rasool Khan, Chairman of State Minorities Commission, which serves the twin states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, has said. Speaking to PTI, he noted if the government, which had last week asked the Law Commission to examine the issue of implementation of such a code, was serious, it has to first put a draft on it in public domain so that it can be discussed. Underlining the "divergent characteristic" of the country, Khan stated that "religion is the most important factor in every community, whether it's Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and other". "We do every thing based on religion, including our voting, dietary life. When its such a case, the government has to tread very carefully," he said. Pointing out that there had been debates over such a code for many years without any concrete outcome, Khan said the draft policy has not been placed in public domain nor was the uniform civil code discussed in any forum. "My point is if the government is serious I personally and I think most of my community would not object to it as long as there is a fair discussion on it, and the points are addressed and opinions are taken from all walks of life from Muslims," he said. "But before that, let the government come out with a draft and place it in public domain what they want to do, because its not only going to affect Muslims as is being made out.. its going to affect Hindus where there is a Succession Act...Hindu Undivided Family Act would be hit, child marriages would be hit, 'Sati' would be hit, then its going to affect the Jains..its going to affect the Sikh community. "Its going to affect the Coorgis where their fire-arm law has to be repealed and its going to affect most of the tribal communities because tribals have their own laws and they are not going to follow this law (uniform civil code). And in Nagaland, you have given special status for Nagas and North-East people..then you need to repeal that also.