PM Modi bats for Uniform Civil Code, asks how country can run on two laws, draws opposition ire

In a tweet, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said, "Will the PM end 'Hindu Undivided Family'? Because of HUF, the country is losing Rs 3,064 crores every year." On one hand, the prime minister is shedding crocodile tears for Pasmanda Muslims, and on the other, his "pawns" are attacking their mosques, taking away their livelihoods, bulldozing their homes and lynching them, Owaisi alleged.

Opposing reservations for backward Muslims, the NDA government has stopped scholarships for poor Muslims, he alleged.

"If Pasmanda Muslims are being exploited, what is Modi doing about it? Before seeking votes from Pasmanda Muslims, BJP workers should go door-to-door and apologise that their spokespersons and MLAs tried to insult our Dear Prophet," Owaisi tweeted.

Tamil Nadu's ruling party DMK said the uniform civil code should first be applied to the Hindus, and people of all castes should be allowed to worship in any temple.

"Uniform Civil Code should be first introduced in the Hindu religion. Every person including Scheduled Castes and Tribes should be allowed to perform pooja in any temple in the country. We don't want UCC (uniform Civil Code) only because the Constitution has given protection to every religion," said DMK's TKS Elangovan, according to a report in NDTV.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has refused to support any amendment to the Constitution. "The Prime Minister should remember that he has taken oath on the Constitution drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar. All sections of the country have faith in the Constitution and we will not allow it to change," said Arif Masood, Congress leader and Executive member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board.

Earlier in June, the Law Commission decided to look at the need for a UCC afresh and seek the views of various stakeholders, including members of the public and religious organisations on the politically sensitive matter.

A UCC would replace the different personal laws, based on the scriptures and customs of various religious communities, with a common set of rules governing every citizen of the country. As per Article 44 of the Constitution coming under the Directive Principles of State Policy, the State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India.