All personal laws need reform, not Uniform Civil Code: CPI (M)

NEW DELHI, October 18: Accusing the government of trying to push a Uniform Civil Code in the name of reforming personal laws, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) today said that it appeared as if minority rights were under threat from “communal” forces.

Claiming that the Left parties had always supported reforms in personal laws of all communities, it however said that by supporting changes only in Muslim personal law “as is being done by the government” was counterproductive and would only propagate “discrimination against women”.

“With the offensive of communal forces on the very identity of minority communities, any move to push the agenda of the Uniform Civil Code as is being done by the government directly and through its institutions is counterproductive for the rights of women. Uniformity is not the guarantee for equality,” the CPI(M) said in a statement.

It also singled out government spokespersons for wrongly claiming that personal laws for Hindu women had already been reformed.

“Even now laws concerning adoption, property rights and even the right to choose your partner discriminate against Hindu women,” the party said.

The party however backed rights groups demanding a change in the practice of triple talaq – or oral divorce — allowed in Muslim personal law, saying that it was not permitted in most Islamic countries.

“Acceptance of this demand will bring relief to affected women. All personal laws, including those for the majority community require reform,” the party said.