Author: Press Trust of India
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: November 22, 2002
URL: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_107335,0008.htm
The Opposition members in Lok Sabha
on Friday opposed any move to bring a uniform civil code cautioning that
it could endanger harmony among communities, even as Law Minister Jana
Krishnamurthy said the Constitution makers wanted the country to move towards
such a code.
Krishnamurthy, in his incomplete
reply to a debate on a Constitution (Amendment) Bill moved by BJP member
Aditya Nath to bring a uniform civil code in the country, said 50 years
ago framers of the Constitution felt the country would need a uniform civil
code and should move towards it at some point of time.
He also said this issue should not
be linked to Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Contesting the argument that
such a code would endanger the country's unity, he asked "weren't our policy
makers aware of this?"
Opposition members said this would
amount to enforcing the Hindu Personal Law on the minorities and demanded
its withdrawal.
They said such an amendment would
send wrong signals to the minority community at this juncture, particularly
in the light of Gujarat, and any shortcomings in personal laws should be
rectified by the concerned community.
Congress deputy leader Shivraj Patil
said any imposition of such a code could cause resentment and rebellion
and added "if you want the country to be united, accept some diversity
also... Let us understand the importance of plurality."
