NEW DELHI: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has strongly opposed the proposal for a Uniform Civil Code, saying that they will not allow any change in their personal laws citing that followers of Islam are bound by the injunctions “as prescribed by the Islamic Law” which are “non-negotiable”.“The fundamental religious book of Muslims, being the Holy Quran, Sunnah and Fiqh (Islamic Law) in the form of religious texts which are matters of Articles 25 - 26 (Constitution of India), mandate its believers to follow the injunctions as prescribed therein.The followers of Islam find themselves bound by those injunctions and the same are non-negotiable terms,” AIMPLB stated in its representation to theLaw Commission which had sought views of various stakeholders and public on the issue.The Board said personal relationship of Muslims, guided by their personal laws, is directly derived from the Holy Quran and Sunnah (Islamic laws) and it is linked with their identity.

“Muslims in India will not be agreeable to lose this identity of which there is space within the constitutional framework of our country,” it said.“National integrity, safety, security and fraternity is best preserved and maintained if we maintain the diversity of our country by permitting minorities and tribal communities to be governed by their own personal laws,” the Board said.It said that “majoritarian morality must not supersede personal laws, religious freedom and minority rights in the name of a code which remains an enigma”.

“The most crucial document of our nation, Constitution of India, is itself not uniform in nature, prudently and with the intention to keep the country united,” it said.03:29“Muslims have their own Shariat Law…” Farooq Abdullah opposes PM Modi’s remarks on UCCIn order to reinforce its concerns raised in the detailed submissions, the Board has issued an appeal along with a QR code to its 250 plus key members, asking them to send their individual responses to the law panel in line with the representation.AIMPLB argued that prevalence of multiple personal laws of different communities is consistent with their religio–cultural rights as provided for in Articles 25, 26 and 29 of Constitution.The Board said the existing general and even uniform family laws are not truly uniform, including the codified community-based laws.

“The Special Marriages Act, the closest and continuing model of a uniform family law in India, is not ‘uniform’ and provides exceptions for customary laws,” it said.